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Air Doctor The official magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service CENTRAL OPERATIONS | ISSUE 262 | MAY 16
AirDoctor
The official magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor ServiceCENTRAL OPERATIONS | ISSUE 262 | MAY 16
2 > MAY 16 | AirDoctor Magazine
DAVID HILLS JOHN LYNCHChairman ChiefExecutiveOfficer
From the Chairman & CEOWELCOME TO THEfirstprinteditionofAirDoctorfor2016.Wehavehadabusystarttotheyearwithalotofactivitysinceourlastmessage.
InOctoberweaddedour15thPilatusPC-12toourfleet–FoxtrotX-rayJuliet(VH-FXJ)–andmarkedthecommissioningwithadedicationceremonyofficiatedbytheFederalTreasurer,theHonScottMorrisonMP.
WehadanexcellentturnoutatourAdelaideBaseandtheaircraftwasdedicatedbyFrontierServicesPastorGaryFergusonwhoblessedtheaircraftbeforeitwascommissionedbyMrMorrison(seestoryonpage6).
AnaddedbonustotheceremonywasanopportunitytopubliclycelebratetheextraordinarilygenerousdonationbySimonHackettoftheHackettFoundationtofundthe$600,000aeromedicalfitout.
TheinductionofVH-FXJispartofourfive-yearaircraftreplacementprogramwherewewillcommissiontwomorePC-12sduringthecourseof2016andanotherin2017,replacingexistingaircraft,someofwhichwillbeassignedtocharteractivities.Aswehavereportedpreviously,wearelookingforwardtothefurtherexpansionofourfleetwiththearrivalin2018/19ofourfirstaeromedicaljet,thenewPilatusPC-24whichwillhaveagreatercapacityforcarryingincreasednumbersofpatientsandsignificantlyreducinglong-haulflyingtimes.
Inotherexcitingnews,earlyin2016weannouncedanexpansionofourprimaryhealthcareservicedeliveryinoutbackSouthAustraliaafterRFDSCentralOperationstookresponsibilityfortheemploymentofRemoteAreaNursesathealthserviceclinicsinAndamookaandMarla.
Wewelcomeournewstaffandlookforwardtotheircontributioninourexpandedservicedeliverysuite(seestoryonpage4).
Thisinitiative,inadditiontoourexistinghealthserviceinMarree,continuesourstrongworkingpartnershipwithSACountryHealthinprovidingessentialprimaryhealthcareservicesofthehighestqualitytopeopleliving,workingandtravellinginremoteSA.
Wehavealsomovedtostreamlineouremergencycommunicationsintheoutbackwiththeintroductionofanewemergencymedicalassistancenumber–1800RFDSSA(1800733772).Thisnumberwillsimplifycontactwithour24/7communicationscentreinPortAugustaprovidingimmediateaccesstoouron-callhealthservicesteam.
InFebruary,weannouncedplanstoexpandourpresenceinDarwinwitha$3milliontouristfacilityinthecity’shistoricStokesHillWharfprecinct.
ThisprojectisinpartnershipwiththeNTGovernmentandTourismNTandweareproudtohavebeenchosentodevelopthissignificanttourismattractionintheTopEnd.
ThedevelopmentbringstogethertwohistoriceventsthatforgedtheresilienceofthepeopleoftheTopEndandwillfeatureahigh-techretellingofthehistoryoftheRFDSandthebombingofDarwininWorldWarII(seestoryonpage11).
BackinAdelaide,constructionofournew$13millionAdelaideBaseisontrackandduetobecompletedinthemiddleoftheyearwithaviewtomovingbothourservicedeliveryandcorporatestaffintothenewpremisesbyOctober2016.
AnimportantelementoftheworkofourBoardandExecutiveleadershipinthepastsixmonthshasbeentheintroductionofourStrategicPlanwhichwilltakeRFDSCentralOperationsforwardthroughto2018.
OUR COVER:MountGambierfamilyLynetteSagewithherdaughterandgranddaughterDanniandLucyHorton.
AirDoctor is the official magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Central Operations.
Street Address: 71HenleyBeachRoadMileEnd5031,SouthAustraliaPostal Address: POBox381MarlestonDC5033,SouthAustralia
Phone: 0882383333Email: [email protected]: 0882383395
flyingdoctor.org.au
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@RoyalFlyingDoc
DAVID HILLSChairman
JOHN LYNCHChiefExecutiveOfficer
AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 16 > 3
WITHIN TEN MINUTESofarrivingatPortLincolnHospitalforastintason-calldoctor,AdelaideGPMichelleCrespfoundherselfintheEmergencyDepartmentdealingwithtwocyclistsinjuredinaroadaccident,onewithaseriouschestinjury.
“Intheintensityofthatinitialfiveminutes,italmostseemedlikeajokewhentheysaidtome,‘you’vegotasharkattackcomingin’,”DrCresprecallsofAnzacDaymorninglastyear.
“Wewerealreadypreoccupiedwithamajortraumaandalittlebehindtheeightball;wedidn’thaveverylongtogetthingsreadyandtocallotherstaffin.”
StaffquicklymovedtocleartheEDwhileDrCrespassembledateamincludingthreeextranursingstafffromthewards,andtheon-callsurgeonandanaesthetist.
BythetimeanSAAmbulance(SAAS)crewarrivedwith26-year-oldChrisBloweshewasincardiacarrestandmissinghisleftlegabovetheknee,bittenoffinanattackbyaWhitePointerduringasurfingsessionwithacoupleofmatesatFisheryBay,30kilometressouthofPortLincoln.
DrCresp,threeSAASparamedicsandtheEDteamspentthenext90minutesworkingtokeepChrisaliveandintheprocessusedjustabouteveryavailablesuitablebloodsupplyinthehospital.
“Wewereastonishedthatataboutthehourmarkthatnotonlydidwegetastrongoutput(heartbeat)butheputhishanduptothetubeinhismouth,”DrCrespsays.
DrCrespsayssheowestheconfidenceshehadmusteredthatdaytoleadtheteaminresuscitatingChrisBlowestoherregularparticipationintheRFDSRuralEmergencySkillsProgram(RESP)trainingcourses,nowintheir10thyearofdelivery.
ShehadcompletedhermostrecentRESPcourseonlymonthsearlier,allowinghertomaintaintheskillsneededinhandlingmajortraumaincidents.
OriginallyacountryGP,DrCresphaspractisedinsuburbanAdelaideforeightyearsbutdoesoneweekamonthasalocumincountrycentresaroundSA,andattimesinBrokenHill,whenshecan.
LikemanyGPs,onceyourinitialtrainingisoveryouareunlikelytobeinsituationswhereyouaretreatingpatientswhohavebeeninmajoraccidents.
“Itwasanextraordinarycircumstanceandtherewereprobablyelementsofdivinegracebestowedonmebutevenextraordinary
> Dr Michelle Cresp (pictured in blue gown) and SA Ambulance paramedics attending to shark attack victim Chris Blowes at Port Lincoln Hospital. Photo courtesy of Today Tonight, Seven Network.
RFDS training a lifesaver for city GP >
situationscanbeimprovedbyabasicsetofskillsandpriorities,”DrCrespsays.
ShefindstheRESPcoursefocusonsimulationandsupportiveteamdynamicsmostuseful.“There’salwayssomethingtolearn,newequipmentandbetterresusoutcomes,there’salwaysnewlearningandRESPisalwaysrespectfulofthefactthatGPsarenotnormallydoingthiskindofmedicine,”shesays.
“Idon’tthinkIwouldgooutthereiftherewasn’tsomethinglikeRESPavailable.”
“There’sachancethatforallofus,Chris’sresuscitationwouldnothaveflowedasbeautifullyasitdidwithoutusallrefreshingwithprogramslikeRESP.”
TheRFDSrunstheRESPforGPstoensuretheyareequippedwithandcanmaintaintheskillsrequiredtomanageacutelyunwellorcriticallyinjuredpatientspresentingtocountryhospitalsinSA.
Idon’tthinkIwouldgooutthereiftherewasn’tsomethinglikeRESPavailable.
4 > MAY 16 | AirDoctor Magazine
Outback primary health expands >PEOPLE LIVING, WORKING andtravellinginoutbackSouthAustraliawillhavegreateraccesstoessentialprimaryhealthcareservicesandtomorestreamlinedemergencyandmedicalcommunicationswiththeRFDS.
RFDSCentralOperationstookoverprovisionofprimaryhealthcareservicesinAndamookaandMarlaatthebeginningoftheyear,inadditiontoitsexistingMarreeHealthService,inpartnershipwithSAHealth.
ThechangescoincidewiththeintroductionofanewemergencycontactnumberfortheSAoutback:1800RFDSSA(1800733772).
ThenewnumberputscallersinremotelocationswithnonearbylocalhealthserviceorhospitalindirectcontactwiththeRFDSPortAugustaBaseandon-callmedicaladvice24hoursaday.
ThenewnumberwilloperateinconjunctionwithexistingHFradiofrequenciesof4010kHz,6890kHzand8165kHz.
ItcomplementstheexpansionofRFDSprimaryhealthcareservicesthroughoutoutbackSAinadditiontotheregularRFDSfly-inGPandNurseclinicsandRFDSPrimaryCareOutreachProgramwhichtransportsalliedhealthprofessionalstoruralandremotecommunities.
“WeacknowledgethetrusttheSAGovernmentplacesintheabilityoftheRFDStodeliveressentialprimaryhealthcareservicestothehigheststandardstotheseruralandremotecommunities,”saysJohnLynch,CEOofRFDSCentralOperations.
“Wehavebeenalong-termproviderofprimaryhealthcareservicesthroughourMarree
HealthServicetotheMarreeandBirdsvilleTrackcommunities,andaredelightedtoexpandourservicestoAndamookaandMarla.”
TheRFDShasbeentheleadproviderofemergencyaeromedicalandessentialprimaryhealthcareservicesinruralandremoteSAsince1939.Lastyear,theRFDSassisted
morethan22,000patients–equivalenttosomeoneevery23minutes.
MrLynchsaidthecommunitiesofAndamookaandMarlawouldbenefitfromintegrationwiththeRFDSPortAugustaBasewhichincludes24-houraccesstotelehealthservices,GPfly-inclinicsandemergencyaeromedicalservices.
AcrossAndamooka,MarlaandMarree,theRFDSprovides:
• aRegisteredNurseprimaryhealthcareservice;• afterhoursemergencynursingservice;• community-basedprimaryhealtheducation
andchronicdiseasemanagement;• emergencyandnon-emergencyambulance
services;and• supporttoSAAmbulanceandlocalvolunteer
ambulancecrews.
“WearelookingforwardtobuildingontheseessentialservicesandprovidingthemtothehighestRFDSstandardtotheMarlaandAndamookacommunitiesformanyyearstocome.”
ADELAIDE
PORT AUGUSTA
MARREE
MARLA
ANDAMOOKA
RFDS Aeromedical Base
RFDS Primary Health Service
> RFDS Community Health Nurse Cheryl Boles examines a patient at RFDS Marree Health Service.
AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 16 > 5
THERE IS ONEday15yearsagothatstandsoutinAdrianPearce’smindasifithappenedyesterday.
TheSouthEastbeefproducerthoughthewassuretodiewhenhesufferedahorrificleginjuryafteraself-propelledheavy-dutyslasherwentoutofcontrolwhilehewascuttingthelonggrassonhisfarmnearPenola.
AdrianneededtobeairliftedtoAdelaidebytheRFDSforlifesavingsurgery.
Itisaccidentslikethisone,particularlyinruralandremoteAustralia,thattheRFDSsayscouldbepreventedifanewstrategytoimprovesafetywasadopted,resultinginsavingsofupto$1billioninhospitalcosts.
RFDSresearchreleasedinMarch2016foundthatratesofinjuryanddeathasaresultofpreventableaccidentsaresignificantlyhigherincountryAustraliathaninmajorcities.
MartinLaverty,ChiefExecutiveOfficerofRFDSFederationOffice,saidtheresearch–RespondingtoinjuriesinremoteandruralAustralia-foundthehospitalisationcostsofavoidableaccidentsexceeds$1billioneachyearandcouldbereducedwithsmartpreventativemeasures.
“Accidentscanbeprevented;preventionsaveslives;preventionalsosavestaxpayerdollars,”MrLavertysays.
Governmentsneedtoadoptanewaccidentandinjurypreventionstrategytosavebothlivesandavoidablehospitalcosts.
“OneinfiveaeromedicalevacuationstheRFDSundertakeseveryyearareinresponsetoaccidentsandinjury.”
Acrosseverymeasure,ratesofinjuryandassociateddeatharehigherincountryAustraliathaninmajorcities.
Road Fatalities: AlthoughmorethantwothirdsofAustralia’spopulationliveinmajor
Preventable accidents add $1 billion to health system >
cities,morethanhalfofroadfatalitiesoccuronruralandremoteroads.
Workplace Injury: Injuryfatalityratesforagriculturalworkersareninetimeshigherthananyotherindustry.
Poisoning:Deathratesfrompoisoningare3.5timeshigherinremoteareascomparedtomajorcities.
Assault deaths: Australiansinremoteareasare3.8timesmorelikelytodiefromaninjurycausedbyassaultthaninmajorcities.
Children: Childrenfromveryremoteareasare2.2timesmorelikelytobehospitalised
foraninjurythanchildrenincities.Oneinthreechildhospitalisationsareforavoidableinjury,andinjuryclaimsmorechildren’sliveseachyearthancancerandnervoussystemillnessescombined.
Indigenous:Indigenouspeopleinremoteandveryremoteareasaretwiceaslikelyasnon-indigenouspeopleinmajorcitiestobehospitalisedforaninjury.
AdrianPearcenearlylosthislifeduetothesimpleactionofleavingamachineidlewiththeengineonforjustamoment.
TheemergencysurgeryandrehabilitationAdrianunderwentmeantheavoidedamputationandregainedfulluseofhisleg.
“Iconsidermyselfextremelylucky.Theresultsofonesimplelittleactioncanhaveuntoldconsequences,”Adriansaid.
“You’llneverknowwhenyou’llneedservicesliketheRFDSandthehelpofthemanyspecialpeopleinourhealthsystem.”
Iconsidermyselfextremelylucky.Theresultsofonesimplelittleactioncanhaveuntoldconsequences.
> South East beef producer Adrian Pearce. Image: The Border Watch
6 > MAY 16 | AirDoctor Magazine
Entrepreneur’s generous gift to the community >A LOVE OFflyingandadesiretogivesomethingbacktothecommunityinspiredinternetentrepreneurSimonHackettintoauniquepartnershipwiththeRFDS.
WhatresultedwastheInternodefounder’sHackettFoundationgranting$600,000towardsthemedicalfit-outofRFDSCentralOperation’slatestPilatusPC-12aircraft–FoxtrotX-rayJuliet(VH-FXJ)–whichwentintoaeromedicalservicelastNovember.
VH-FXJisthefirstoffournewmedically-equippedPC-12swhichwillreplaceolderaircraftprogressivelyoverthenexttwoyearsatacostofmorethan$6millioneach.ThenewRFDSflyingintensivecareunitalsofeaturesstate-of-the-artavionicsandemergencyservicescommunicationstechnology.
Initsfirstfivemonthsofservice,VH-FXJhadconducted289aeromedicalflightsto45locationsthroughoutSouthAustralia,including12interstateflights(Perth,SydneyandMelbourne)totransportpatientsfor
> Simon Hackett and Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison unveil VH-FXJ.
life-savingtreatmentsuchasspecialistheartsurgeryonnewbornbabiesandorgantransplant.
SimondeclareditaprivilegetoassisttheRFDStofulfilitsmission.
“InavastnationlikeAustralia,promptmedicalassistanceisliterallyamatteroflifeanddeath,”Simonsaidafterthededication.
“TheRFDSplaysavitalroleinsavingthelivesofpeoplelivinginremoteandregionalAustralia,sotheHackettFoundationishonouredtoassisttheRFDSbyfundingthemedicalfit-outofVH-FXJ.”
AtaceremonyofficiatedbyFederalTreasurertheHonScottMorrisonMPattheRFDSAdelaideBaseaprayerofdedicationwasmadebyFrontierServicesPastorGaryFerguson.
RFDSCentralOperationsCEOJohnLynchsaidthelatestacquisitionwaspartofan$82millioncapitalexpenditureprogramoverthenextfiveyears.
THE RFDS HAS beenrecognisedasAustralia’smostreputablecharityforthefifthyearinarowaccordingtotheCharityReputationIndexrunbyresearchconsultantsAMR.
TheIndexsurveysthepublicaskingthemtorankcharitiesforServices,Innovation,Workplace,Citizenship,Governance,LeadershipandCostManagement.
AMRManagingDirector,OliverFreedman,saidtheconsistentleveloftrust,admirationandrespectheldbythepublicfortheRFDShighlightedtheemotionalconnectionfeltbyAustralians.
“TheirreputationcontinuestobebuiltonabroadfoundationwiththeRFDSrankingfirstonsixofthesevenunderlyingreputationdimensions,”MrFreedmansays.
OthercharitiesinthetopfivewereGuideDogs,FredHollowsFoundation,BeyondBlueandMédecinssansFrontiéresAustralia.
RFDS remains most reputable charity >
AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 16 > 7
Entrepreneur’s generous gift to the community >
BETTER KNOWN AS atrailblazerinSouthAustralianpubliceducation,AdelaideMiethkehadalastinginfluenceontheearlydaysoftheRFDSinCentralAustralia.
AfriendofRFDSfounder,theReverendJohnFlynn,MsMiethkeservedasanofficeholderontheAustralianCounciloftheRFDSfornearly30years,reachingthepositionofPresidentofthethenCentralSectionin1946-47.
AdelaideMiethkeOBEwasnamedasoneofSouthAustralia’s100InspiringWomenearlierthisyearbyTheAdvertisertomarkInternationalWomen’sDayonMarch8.
AsakeymemberoftheWomen’sCentenaryCouncilofSAin1936shewasinstrumentalinthedecisiontodonate£5000offundsraisedtomarktheeventtowardstheestablishmentoftheRFDSAliceSpringsBasewhichopenedin1939.
DuringavisittotheAliceSpringsBasein1946,MsMiethke’sreportasPresidentoftheCentralSectionobservedtheshynessofoutbackchildrenandnotedtherewasaneedtofindawayof“bridgingthelonelydistance”.
ThisresultedinherestablishmentoftheSchooloftheAirwhichbeganasabranchoftheRFDSatAliceSpringsHigherPrimarySchoolin1950,andlaterinPortAugusta,usingthepedal-wirelessradiosetscreatedfortheFlyingDoctorbyAdelaideinventor,AlfTraeger,tolinkthechildrenonremotehomesteads.
MsMiethkeservedcontinuouslyontheCounciloftheorganisationfromtheearly1930sfor30yearsandwasCentralSectionVice-Presidentfrom1939to1945
SheestablishedAirDoctormagazinein1946andremainedanofficeholderwithCentralSectionuntilherdeathinFebruary1962attheageof81.
Inspiring educator a Flying Doctor stalwart >thefirstcenturyofpioneerwomeninSA.Theyraisednearly£7000pounds.
Aftermuchdebate,whichfloatedtheideaoffundinga‘FlyingNurse’inPortAugustaoranaeroplanecalled‘ThePioneerWoman’,theCouncildecidedtohand£5000oftheFundtothethenFDStobeusedtobuildabaseatAliceSprings.
TheremainderoftheWomen’sFundwasusedtobuildthePioneerWomen’sMemorialGardenbehindGovernmentHouseonKingWilliamRoadinAdelaide.
MsMcGuirerecalledthe“spirited”CouncilmeetingswheretheydiscussedplansfortheBasedirector’shouseandtheneedforittobeascomfortableandconvenientaspossible.
“Onemeetingwasdevotedalmostexclusivelytoafuriousargumentaboutindoorsanitation!”MsMcGuirewrote.
MsMiethkewroteofthehouseinher1946President’sreportonhervisittoAliceSpringsBasethatwhileneat,tidyandcleantheresidence“couldbeacharmingandattractivehome,”but“itlacksawoman’stouchwhichwouldmakeitso.”
Sheisbetterknownforherworkraisingteacherwages,improvingteachertrainingandschoolstandards,achievingthepositionofInspectorofSchoolsatthepinnacleofalongcareerwiththeEducationDepartment.
MsMiethkewasmadeanOBEin1937andhasbeenhonouredwithaplaqueonNorthTerrace,andplaquesmarkingtheSchooloftheAirinAliceSpringsandPortAugusta.
InthefinalwordsofMsMcGuire’stribute:“AdelaideMiethkewasaremarkableleader,awonderfulfriend,afinecitizen,butaboveall,alovingandgreat-heartedwoman.”
Miethkenotedtheshynessofoutbackchildrenandaneedtobridgethe“lonelydistance”.
InatributetoMsMiethkeinthe1963editionofAirDoctorfellowmemberoftheNationalCouncilofWomen,FrancesMargaretMcGuire,describedherfriendasano-nonsensecharacterwho“…hadfartookeenasenseofhumourevertopityherself.”
TomarktheState’scentenaryin1936,theWomen’sCentenaryCouncilofSAestablishedtheWomen’sFundwhichencouragedeverySouthAustralianwomantodonateoneshillingtohonour
> Adelaide Miethke as a young teacher
8 > MAY 16 | AirDoctor Magazine
FOR THE SAGEandHortonfamiliestheFlyingDoctorhasliterallybecomeapartoftheirlivesoverthreegenerations.
EverydaytheRFDSfliesintoMountGambiertoevacuateapatienttoamajorAdelaidehospitalforlife-savingorspecialisttreatment,butforLynetteSage’sfamily,everytimetheyseetheredbellyofaRFDSPilatusPC-12ittriggersveryspecificmemories.
ThisisbecauseLynette60,herdaughterDanniHorton,32,andhergranddaughterLucy,5,haveallhadtheirownlife-savingencounterswiththeFlyingDoctor.
MedicalCentre.Herhusbandwasabletoaccompanyherontheflight.
“IwasflowntohospitalinAdelaideandhadthreestentsinsertedallwithin12hours.It’sjustwonderfultohavesuchagreathealthsystemwhenyouneedit,”Lynettesays.
“WearealsosoluckytohavetheRoyalFlyingDoctorService–Ican’tspeakhighlyenoughoftheirservice.”
Lynette’sheartspecialistlatertoldherthat
WearesoluckytohavetheRoyalFlyingDoctorService–Ican’tspeakhighlyenoughoftheirservice.
shehadsufferedamajorheartattackbutthattherehadbeennodamagetoherheartmusclebecauseofthequicktimeframeinwhichshewasabletogetmedicalassistance.
“WhatIwouldliketosayisthatthisserviceandthehealthsystemshouldneverbetakenforgranted,”Lynettesays.
Itwasn’tthefirsttimeLynettehadflownwiththeRFDS.In2003,herthen21-year-olddaughterDaniellesufferedkidneyfailureand
LynettewassogratefulafterbeingflownbytheRFDStoAdelaideearlierthisyearshewaspromptedtowritetoherlocalnewspapertopraiseherexperiencewiththeMtGambierHospital,FlindersMedicalCentre,SAAmbulanceServiceandtheRFDS.
“DuringtheearlyhoursonSunday,January3,Iexperiencedveryseverechestpain,alongwithpainradiatingdownmyleftarm,aswellasextremepainalongmyleftjaw,”Lynetterecalls.
Shehadreadenoughaboutthesymptomsforaheartattacktoknowthatshewasinneedofurgentmedicalhelp.
Lynette’shusbandRichardcalledtheambulancetotheirEightMileCreekhome,28kilometressouthofMtGambieronthecoastnearPortMacDonnell,andfromthere,LynettewastakentoMtGambierHospital.
Followingdiagnosis,hospitalstaffcalledtheRFDSandLynettewasflowntoAdelaideearlyontheSundaymorningandtakentoFlinders
Three generations of RFDS care >
> Danni and Lucy Horton and Lynette Sage.
AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 16 > 9
hadtobeflowntoAdelaideinthemiddleofthenight.
DannisaysshehadbeenfeelingunwellforweeksandthedaybeforeheremergencyflightshehadfaintedandwastakentoMtGambierHospitalbyherfathersufferingfromhighbloodpressure,gastroandaninabilitytourinate.
Thenextday,aconsultationwithavisitingkidneyspecialistresultedintheRFDSbeingcalledtotakeDannitoAdelaideimmediatelytotheQueenElizabethHospitalforurgenttreatment.
ItwasinthemiddleofthenightandDannirecallslittle,thinkingitwasaquickflight–10minutesinall.
“Ifoundoutlateritwasaone-hourflightandthatitwasmegoinginandoutofconsciousness,wakingupevery10to15minuteswhenIhadmybloodpressurechecked–whichwasatstrokelevel,”Dannirecalls.
DanniwasdiagnosedwithSclerodermawhichisanautoimmuneconditionthataffectstheconnectivetissueofthebody.Sherequireddialysisoverthenextfivemonthsbeforeherindependentkidneyfunctionwasrestoredenablinghertogohome.
“Ifitwasn’tfortheamazingRFDSflyingmetoAdelaide,Iwouldnotbeheretoday,”Dannisays.
“Youneverrealisehowisolatedyouareuntilemergencystrikes–itwouldhavetakenfivehoursbyroadtogetthespecialisthelpIneededbutIcouldgetitinonehourwiththeRFDS.”
ItwassevenyearslaterwhenDanniwastoflytwomoretimeswiththeRFDSwhenshegavebirthat25weekstoherdaughterLucy.
LynetteandherhusbandRichardareavidsupportersoftheRFDSinMtGambierandeveryyearattendtheFlyingDoctorfundraiserssuchasthe‘DinnerattheDrome’anditsannualGolfDay.
THE MAIN THINGfive-year-oldLucyHortonremembersabouthertimewiththeFlyingDoctoristhelittleknittedaeroplanetheFlightNursegavetoLucy’smotherDanniwhentheyflewthemhometoMtGambier.
Lucyspentthefirstthreemonthsofherlife450kilometresawayfromhomeatAdelaide’sWomen’sandChildren’sHospital(WCH)afterbeingbornat25weeks.
Itwaslate2010andDanniandherhusbandBrettwereexpectingtheirfirstchild.
However,duetoherkidneycondition,Danni’sdoctorhadtoldhertoexpectthebabyearlyandtotraveltoAdelaideat28weeksand,ideally,havethebabyat32weeks.
Thatwasnottobe.
Danni’sbloodpressurekeptrisingandat21weeksherdoctoradvisedhersheurgentlyneededtogotoAdelaideforspecialistcaretoensureherbabywasbornsafely.
Lucy’s early arrival >
DanniandBrettwereflownbytheRFDStoAdelaidewhereshewasadmittedtotheWCHandfourweekslaterLucyOliveNellieHortonwasbornat25weeksandsixdays.
Lucyweighed610gramsandwasthankfullybreathingonherownbutfacedabattletothriveandremainoffaventilatoroverthenextfewweeks.
TheyremainedinhospitalforthreemonthsasLucyeventuallywasabletotakemoreandmoremilk,gainingweightuntilshereached2.3kilogramsandwasreadytogohome.
“Weweretheluckyones,beingabletotakeourbabyhome;that’swhereIgottohavemythirdflightwiththeRFDSwhichwasthemostexcitingtripofallaswerefinallyabletobringourbabyhome,”Dannisays.
“Theywerewonderful;Lucywasplacedinahumidicribandtransportedtotheairport,thenshewasplacedintoacapsuleonastretcherandshewasgivenagorgeousknittedplanefromthestaff–whichstillhasprideofplaceathome.”
Lucy,whostartedschoolthisyear,saystheFlyingDoctorisveryspecialtoherbecausetheyhelpedher,hermumandnannawhentheyneededhelp.
“Theyevengavemeaplaneofmyown,”Lucysays.
Weweretheluckyones,beingabletotakeourbabyhome.
Three generations of RFDS care >
> Premature Lucy Horton in WCH Adelaide.
> Danni’s first cuddle of Lucy at 10 days of age.
10 > MAY 16 | AirDoctor Magazine
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AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 16 > 11
THE RFDS WILL expanditspresenceintheTopEndwiththe$3millioninvestmentinanewhigh-techtourismfacilityinDarwinfeaturingthestoriesoftheRFDSandtheWorldWarIIbombingofDarwin.
Thenewtouristexperience,tobelocatedathistoricStokesHillWharf,willfeaturethelatestinvirtualrealitystorytelling,usingholographictechnologytotellthestoryofthe1942bombing.
RFDSCentralOperationsGeneralManagerNorthernTerritory,MichaelToomey,saidthemuseumandtouristfacilitywillbringtogethertwoiconicelementsoftheTerritory:thehistoryoftheRFDSwhichbeganoperationsintheNTin1939,andthebombingofDarwinin1942bytheJapanese.
“BothofthesehistoriceventshelpedforgetheresolveandresilienceofthepeoplewholiveinAustralia’sNorthernTerritory,”MrToomeysays.
“TheRFDSisbothproudanddelightedtobegrantedtheopportunitytoexcite,inspireandeducatethepeopleoftheNTandvisitorsabouttheseimportant,landmarkevents.”
TheBombingofDarwinExperiencewillcomplementothermilitarytourismexperiencesalreadyavailableinDarwin.Thedisplaywillincludeafull-sizereplicaofaJapaneseMitsubishiZerowarplaneusedduringWWII.
Itwillalsofeature:
• Areplicabombcutawaytoshowtheinnerworkings;
• AvideofloorundertheZeroaircraftshowinganaerialviewofDarwinHarbour;
Tourism presence expands to Top End >
> RFDS General Manager NT Michael Toomey with NT Tourism Chairman Michael Bridge at Stokes Hill Wharf.
• Aglasswallfacingtheoceanwithprojectionsshowingtheharbourasitwasin1942;
• MinihologramsshowingwartimeAustralianPrimeMinisterJohnCurtin,anindigenousperson,RFDSfoundertheReverendJohnFlynnandanRFDSnurse;
• AdecommissionedRFDSPilatusPC-12aircraftwithamedically-equippedinterior;and,
• TouchscreenportalsgivinganinsightintotheoperationsoftheRFDS.
“It’saprivilegeforRFDSCentralOperationstobuildonourpartnershipwiththeNorthernTerritoryGovernmentinthedevelopmentofthisnewandinnovativetourismandeducationalfacility,”MrToomeysays.
RFDSCentralOperationsrunstheaward-winningRFDSAliceSpringsTouristFacilitywhichisakeyattractionfortouriststotheRedCentreandfeaturesahologramofJohnFlynnwhotellsthestoryoftheRFDS.
“WeseethisasanimportantinvestmentbytheRFDSinDarwinandonewhichwillgeneratetourismactivityandcontributenewjobstothelocaleconomy,”MrToomeysays.
“ThenewRFDSfacilityinDarwincontinuesourcommitmenttotheNorthernTerritoryandcomesontopof$15millionofresourceandinfrastructureupgradestoourAliceSpringsoperations.”
ThesehistoriceventshelpedforgetheresolveandresilienceofthepeoplewholiveintheNorthernTerritory.
12 > MAY 16 | AirDoctor Magazine
The day I decided to become a midwife >InthisstoryfromanewbookaboutAustralianmidwives,RFDSCentralOperationsFlightNurse,ChloeCoker,tellsaboutthemomentshedecidedtobecomeamidwife.
AFTER COMPLETING HERnursingtrainingthroughNewcastleUniversityandsometertiaryhospitalsinSydney,ChloeCoker,at23,thoughtshewouldgivenursinginaremoteareaatry.
“IthoughtIwasgoingoutforaone-offexperience.IwassentoncontracttoPortKeats,knownasWadeye,420kilometressouth-westofDarwin.Withapopulationof2500it’soneofAustralia’slargestAboriginalcommunities.IwasverynervousandabitnaïvewhenIarrived,”Chloesays.
“ButIwasluckytoworkwithabunchofold-schoolremoteareanursesoutthere.Theytookmeundertheirwingandtaughtmeanenormousamount.IworkedoncallandworkedintheclinicfromMondaytoFriday.”
******ItwasonChloe’sreturntoWadeyeonanothershortcontractthatshebirthedherfirstbaby.
“ItwasonthesecondnightafterI’darrived.Ihadn’tevenmettheclinic’smidwifeyet.Thehealthworkercalledmeintheearlyhourstosayawomanwashavingbabypains.Ididn’tknowwhattheprocesswasorwhotocall.Ididn’texpectshewouldbeatfulltermorabouttobirth.MyexperienceinCentralAustraliahadbeenthatifwomenexperiencedbabypainstheyweresignsofaprematurelabouroramiscarriage–allfull-termwomen
> RFDS Flight Nurse Chloe Coker.
wereflownoutforsit-down.IwasveryslowtorealiseIwasactuallyabouttoassistawomangivebirthtoatermbaby.ThewomanhadbeensentoutofWadeyeforsit-downbuthadchosentoreturnbecauseoffamilymatters.”
Chloefoundawomanclearlyatfulltermwaitingforher.Hermotherwasbyhersideforsupport.Chloetriednottolookconcernedanddiligentlyrangoneoftwomidwives.
“ThefirstIcalledlivedacrosstheroad.ShetoldmeIwasn’tmeanttocallher,buttoringtheothermidwifewhooversawallthemidwiferymanagement.Theotheronelivedontheothersideoftownandshetoldmeshe’dbrushherteeth,getdressedandcomealongshortly.Shedidn’tsoundhappyaboutcominginsoIthoughtIshoulddoasmuchasIcould.Isentthehealthworkerofftofindthewomen’sbusinessmanualwhileIpulledout
IwasveryslowtorealiseIwasactuallyabouttoassistawomangivebirthtoatermbaby.
theIVtrolleywiththeintentionofputtingacannulain.”
Acannulaisatubethatisinsertedintothebodyforthedeliveryorremovaloffluidandintravenousdrugsandremovalofbloodfortestingifneeded.
“IhadalittlemomentwhereIthought,hmmm,something’snotquiteright.Ilookedatthewomanandshewascalmlywatchingmeandsmiling.IthoughtI’dtakealittlelookandliftedupthesheet.Tomysurprisealittleheadwaspresenting.”Chloedroppedwhatshewasdoingandwithnotimetofindglovessheheldoutherhandsjustintimetocatchababyboy.
“Thisyoungmotherwasactuallysmilingatmeasshewasbirthingherbaby,”shesays.“Iwasthrilledandthatsenseofbewildermentandelationstayedwithmeforaverylongtime.Thebabyprettymuchdelivereditselfwithintenminutesofmyarrival.Andthinkingbacknow,Iwasn’taterriblybighelp.Buttheexperiencewasdefining;that’swhenIdecidedtobecomeamidwife.”
ThisextractisfromAustralian MidwivesbyPaulaHeelanandisavailablefromHarlequinBooksat:www.harlequinbooks.com.au
AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 16 > 13
SAM, DAWSON ANDEmmaaretakingaroadtripwiththeirdadalongthedustyOodnadattaTrackinoutbackSouthAustraliawhentheystopattheghosttownofFarina.
Agameoftiprunningaroundtheruinsendssuddenlywhentheirdadfallsandseriouslyinjureshisleg.It’slefttothekidstoworkoutwhattodonext.
Naturally,inastorycalledRemoteRescue,theycallfortheFlyingDoctorbutbeforetheRFDSaeromedicalrescuecrewcanarriveDawsonhastoadministerFirstAidtohisstrickendad.
TheRFDSisproudtobeassociatedwiththeseriesofRFDSAdventurenovelsaimedatchildrenagedeightyearsandoverandwrittenbywell-knownchildren’sauthorGeorgeIvanoff.
Thefirsttwonovelsintheseries–RemoteRescueandEmergencyEcho–werelaunchedinMarchnearFarina,atLeighCreekAreaSchoolbySAEducationandChildDevelopmentMinister,theHon.SusanCloseMP.
ChildrenattheschoolweretreatedtoareadingbytheMinister,abooksigningbyGeorgeandatalkabouttheFlyingDoctorbyRFDSCentralOperationsGeneralManagerMarketing&PR,CharliePaterson.
DrClose,whoreadthefirstnovel,wasfullofpraiseforthesubjectmatter.
“It’srefreshingtoreadabookthatbringstheFlindersRangestoMarreeareatolife.It’sanexcitingbookforkidsthattellsanimportantstoryabouthowtheRFDSkeepspeoplesafeacrosstheoutback,”DrClosesays.
GeorgesaidthatthemainthinghewouldtakeawayfromhisexperienceofwritingthebooksistheimportanceoftheserviceprovidedbytheFlyingDoctor.
“TheRFDSdeservesrecognitionandsupportandIhopethattheseadventurestorieswillhelpspreadthewordandintroducetheFlyingDoctortokidsacrossAustralia,”Georgesays.
RFDS takes off in new series of kids’ books >
TwomorebookswerelaunchedinMay–MedicalMissionandFastFlight–withplansformoreinthepipelineandallofthemcentredaroundchildreninremotelocationsinteractingwiththeRFDS.
EmergencyEchotellsthestoryof12-year-oldAlicewholivesinWesternAustralianoutback
> Leigh Creek Area School students Latrell Taylor, Starla Baines, Thomas Hoddle and Caitlin Smith with author George Ivanoff.
miningtownMountMagnetandisstruckdownbyacuteappendicitisleavingherinurgentneedofassistancefromtheRFDS.
RFDS Adventure books can be purchased for $15 each online at www.flyingdoctor.org.au/sant/shop/ or by telephoning 08 8238 3333.
14 > MAY 16 | AirDoctor Magazine
THERE WAS SOMETHINGspecialaboutthisyear’sannualDinnerattheDromefundraiserandFamilyFunDayheldbytheRFDSMountGambierSupportGroupinthefirstweekendofApril.
Itmarkedthe20thanniversaryoftheSupportGroupwhichhasraisedmorethan$713,000fortheFlyingDoctorthroughfundraisingamongtheMtGambiercommunityoverthepast19years.
SupportGroupPresidentChrisDriscollsaidthefundraisingfigureforthecurrentyearwon’tberevealeduntilMaybutit’ssuretobegivenaboostbytheanniversarycelebrationswhichincludedaFamilyFunDayonSunday,3AprilatTheRail.
“Thoughthefiguresfromtheeveningarenotyetavailable,thesilentauctionaloneraised$4,700,withprizesfromgenerouslocalsupportersincludingatriponTheGhanfromGreatSouthernRail,”MsDriscollsaid.
> RFDS Mt Gambier Support Group President Chris Driscoll and inaugural Support Group President John Welsh.
AttheFamilyFunDayMsDriscollwasjoinedinthe20thanniversarycakecuttingbyinauguralRFDSMtGambierSupportGroupPresident,JohnWelsh,StateMemberforMtGambier,TroyBell,andFederalMemberforBarker,TonyPasin.
“ThedaywasahugesuccessandwaswellsupportedbythepublicwiththeRFDSsimulatorprovingahugehitwithchildrenandadultsalike,”MsDriscollsays.
“ItwasafantasticpublicrelationsexerciseinpromotingtheimportanceoftheRFDS,sogenerouslyaidedbypublicityfromtheBorderWatch,alongwithasuccessfuleventraisingmoneywhichallgoesdirectlytoreplacingRFDSaircraft.”
TheRFDSfliestwiceadaytotheSouthEastofSAandlandedatMtGambier491timesinthe12monthsuntiltheendofMarch2016.
THE RFDS SIMULATORwasahitwithcrowdsattendingthefour-dayCaravanandCampingShowatWayvilleShowgroundsinAdelaideinFebruary.Thefull-scalereplicaPC-12makesregularappearancesaroundSA–andsometimesinterstate–atregionalandruralfielddays,schoolsandspecialshowslikethisone.
TheRFDSAdelaideAuxiliaryandRFDSstaffhostedthesimulatorandexplainedtheFlyingDoctor’sservicestochildrenandadultsalikewhoqueuedtohavealookinside.TheAuxiliaryalsoranastallsellingRFDSmerchandiseasafundraiserandallinallhadaverysuccessfuldayraisingatotalof$5765.15.
Simulator a hit at Caravan & Camping Show >
> RFDS simulator in place at Adelaide Showgrounds.
> RFDS Adelaide Auxiliary Vice-President Helen Duffy and Treasurer Peter Johnston at work.
Mt Gambier volunteers mark 20th anniversary >
AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 16 > 15
Simpson Desert – where bikes rule 4WDs >Thebiggestsurprisethisyearwasthatthebikeswerefasterthanthecars.
THE DEDICATED SIMPSON DesertBikeChallengeridersmanagedtokeeptheirnosesinfrontinmorewaysthanoneduringthelatestraceraisingarecord$56,827fortheRFDS.
Thehardybandof20cyclistsactuallyoutpacedtheirfourwheeldrivesupportvehiclesinthesoftsanddunesastheytraversed500kilometresoftheSimpsonDesertlastSeptember-OctoberoverfivedaysfromPurniBoreinSouthAustraliatoBirdsvilleinQueensland.
RaceDirector,AlanKeenleside,saidtheytackledtheeast-westFrenchLineacrossthedesertforthefirsttimesincetheinauguralSimpsonDesertBikeChallengein1987whennotasingleridercompletedthecourse.
“Itwasjusttoohardandtheygaveupafter10kilometres,”Alansaysofthe1987race.“Afterthat,everyyeartheyracedthelessdirectlinewhichcrossesfarfewersanddunes.”
Theintroductionoffattyres–knownas“fatbikes”–forthebikesin2015meanttheywerereadytotacklethemorethan1200sanddunesalongtheFrenchLinewhichAlansaysare“massive”.
“Thebiggestsurprisethisyearwasthatthebikeswerefasterthanthecars,consistently,andoneverydifficultstage;thefrontconvoywasinconstantdangerofbeingcaught,”Alansays.
“TheFrenchLineisvery,verysandyandveryslowgoingforthefourwheeldrivesbutthebikesarenarrowenoughtojustslipupthedunes,includingBigRed,thehighestduneinthedesert.”
Whilestillpunishing–onlyhalfofthe20ridersmanagedtocompletetheentirecourse–theyloveditsotheyplantotackletheFrenchLineagainthisyear.
The2015raceraisedarecord$56,827fortheFlyingDoctor,toppingthepreviousyear’stotalof$52,000.
Thisyear’sracemarksthe30thyearandwilltakeplacefrom27Septemberto1October.Youcanfindoutmoreatwww.desertchallenge.org
> Simpson Desert Bike Challenge riders tackle Big Red. Photos by Grant Sebastian
THE ANNUAL PETROLEUMExplorationSocietyofSouthAustralia(PESA)GolfDayhasbeenafundraisingmainstayfortheRFDScelebratingits37thanniversarythisyear.
“Notonlyisitafundayoutforoilpatchsponsorsandmembers,theeventisamarkofthestrongandenduringsupporttheSAexplorationindustryhasfortheFlyingDoctor,”jointeventcoordinator,ClaudiaFintinasays.
MsFintina,whoorganisestheeventwithAndyPietschonbehalfoftheSocietyofPetroleumEngineersofSA,saidthePESA
PESA Golf Day – 37 years’ support for RFDS >GolfDayhasraisedatotalof$342,000fortheRFDSoverthepast19yearsalone.
OnehundredgolfersteamedupandteedoffinanAmbrosecompetitionattheFlagstaffHillGolfandCountryClubinAdelaideonFriday,18March2016andraisedamagnificent$10,000fortheFlyingDoctor.
> PESA Golf Day organising committee members Claudia Fintina, Mike Willis, Nick Dunstan, Jo Anne Hart, Andy Pietsch and Doug Roberts.
A Will to Save Lives >
Establishedin1928,theRoyalFlyingDoctorService(RFDS)conducts100 flights across Australia every day.
Butwecan’tdothisbyourselves.Werelyonbequestsanddonationsfromthecommunitytokeepourcrewsand‘flyingintensivecareunits’inourskies,everyday(andnight)oftheyear.
Leave a life-saving legacy. Please remember the RFDS in your will.
Toreceiveyourcomplimentarycopyofourspecialbequestbooklet,callRossCurtison(08)[email protected]
