The official magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service CENTRAL OPERATIONS | ISSUE 266 | MAY 18 AirDoctor CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF SAVING LIVES SOUVENIR EDITION From the Chairman & CEO >

This year we were humbled once again to be These individuals continue to shape our awarded ’s Most Reputable Charity for wonderful history. They are also fundamental the seventh year running. This recognition is in in carrying on Flynn’s legacy of the “mantle of large part due to the ever-growing army of loyal safety” for regional, rural and remote Australia. RFDS supporters – our amazing ‘Ground Crew’ They should all be deeply proud of what they of volunteers, donors, bequestors, fundraisers do for more than 50,000 South Australians and and corporate sponsors who help keep our Territorians alone whose lives are touched by the crews in the air, on the road and across the RFDS each year. LORETTA REYNOLDS JOHN LYNCH airwaves. We commend this souvenir edition of AirDoctor Chairman Chief Executive Officer We recently visited several communities as part to you; we hope you enjoy the read. IN 1928, Reverend established the of a special ‘90 YEARS’ tour. It was wonderful “mantle of safety” for Australia. to meet with many of our supporters and stakeholders in their community, all of whom His incredible vision – to bridge the gap in access were as just passionate about our work as we to medical care and overcome the tyranny of are, sharing their own stories of lives saved and JOHN LYNCH distance to the most remote parts of our country LORETTA REYNOLDS futures changed forever. Chairman Chief Executive Officer – remains as relevant and vital today as it was Many other RFDS events to mark our 90 YEARS back then. (our birthday on May 15 and anniversary of our Inspired by the death of Kimberley stockman first flight on May 17) are being held throughout Jimmy Darcy a decade earlier, Flynn’s enduring the year in , Port Augusta, AirDoctor is the official magazine vision and unquenchable drive to improve access and Darwin, not to mention the many regional of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of to essential health care for people living, working events being run across South and Central Australia Central Operations. and travelling in the bush is ever-present in our Australia by our dedicated volunteers and organisational DNA. community fundraisers. Street Address: 1 Tower Road Adelaide Airport Your modern-day ‘Flying Doctor’ stretches The full calendar of ‘90 YEARS’ events can be SA 5950 beyond emergency and primary health care, now seen at our website flyingdoctor.org.au/sant/ bridging gaps in oral health and mental health, as events. We do hope you are able to join the Postal Address: PO Box 381 well as taking a preventative approach to tackling celebrations. Marleston SA 5033 the heavyweight issues of chronic disease The support we receive from the community Phone: 08 8238 3333 management through health education, targeted is immeasurable, however this support would Email: [email protected] translate to nothing without a group of dedicated, screening programs and best practice patient Fax: 08 8238 3395 management. talented and undeniably professional staff to fulfill our mission of patient care. Together, we strive for happy, healthier Everything we do at the RFDS comes down to communities. flyingdoctor.org.au/sant our patients and the quality of care we deliver We are extremely privileged to not only be 24/7, every day of the year. Our medical officers, facebook.com/royalflyingdoctorservice today’s custodians of Flynn’s vision but also hold nurses, pilots, mental health and oral health the trust of the rural and remote communities we clinicians, allied health professionals, engineers, @RoyalFlyingDoc serve every day and, equally, our service-delivery corporate, administration and support staff – instagram.com/RoyalFlyingDoc and government partners – Federal, State and over 200 of whom work across our four SA/NT Territory – who stand with us to deliver the finest aeromedical bases and three remote primary care to the furthest corners. health clinics – are the face of the Flying Doctor.

2 > MAY 18 | AirDoctor Magazine WILLIAM CREEK

PORT English tourists airlifted AUGUSTA from outback > ADELAIDE

Oliver Walker and Brad Warren being loaded into ‘Bravo’ at William Creek airstrip.

THE RFDS performed the aeromedical retrieval but-stable condition with head, neck and of two injured English tourists following a car chest injuries. accident on the Oodnadatta Track in South The pair were airlifted by an aeromedical Australia’s Far North. crew from RFDS Port Augusta Base for the Oliver Walker and Brad Warren rolled their vehicle 700-kilometre flight to the RFDS Adelaide Base while travelling north along the Oodnadatta Track, and subsequent transfer to Royal Adelaide approximately 50 kilometres south-east Hospital for specialist medical care. of William Creek. “It was terrifying,” said Brad, whilst recovering The Marree-based RFDS Emergency Ambulance in hospital. “It all happened so quickly”. and Remote Area Nurse were the first to arrive at “We never imagined we might need the help the scene after the single-vehicle accident was of the Flying Doctor, but we are so grateful for reported by a passing motorist. the fantastic care we received,” he said. Oliver was in a stable condition with suspected Read more of our latest stories at neck and spinal injuries; Brad was in a serious- flyingdoctor.org.au/sant/news The overturned vehicle on the Oodnadatta Track.

AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 18 > 3 Darwin Tourist Facility wins ‘Brolga’ Award > Discover two iconic elements of the Territory at the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility; the RFDS, which began operations in the NT in 1939, and the bombing of Darwin in 1942.

THE RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility was latest in computer-generated imagery and virtual presented with the New Tourism Business Award It’s wonderful to be reality (VR). at the coveted Brolga 2017 making a significant Using individual headsets, the award-winning Tourism Awards. contribution to VR film enables visitors to immerse themselves “The passion shown by our tourism operators back in time to 1942 and view a recreation of is a wonderful reflection of our incredible tourism in the the bombing of Darwin Harbour as if they were attractions, tours, unique experiences and culture actually there on the waterfront. in the NT,” said Lauren Moss, Minister for Tourism Northern Territory. Tickets and group bookings at and Culture, at the annual awards for excellence Michael Toomey rfdsdarwin.com.au in tourism. The RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility was described The RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility brings together by judges as ‘a wonderful addition to NT tourism two iconic elements of the Territory: the RFDS, and a truly engaging tourist experience.’ which began operations in the NT with the “The RFDS is honoured to be represented opening of its Alice Springs Base in 1939, and against such a high calibre of winners the bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942 representing the best of tourism in the Northern – the largest single attack ever mounted by a Territory,” says Michael Toomey, General Manager foreign power on Australia. NT, RFDS Central Operations. “Both of these historic events helped forge the “We thank our tourist facility team and acknowledge resolve and resilience of the people who live in the support we have received from NT Tourism and the Northern Territory,” Mr Toomey adds. the NT Government,” Mr Toomey says. Located on Stokes Hill Wharf the facility, which

“It’s wonderful to be making a significant is managed by the RFDS in partnership with NT Michael Toomey, General Manager NT, with the Brolga Award for contribution to tourism in the Northern Territory.” Tourism and the NT Government, features the excellence in tourism;

4 > MAY 18 | AirDoctor Magazine Teamwork saves boy in Cooper Basin >

The Cooper Medivac 24 and the RFDS work together to airlift Jackson to Adelaide.

IT STARTED as an ordinary day for eight-year- Michelle Vegter, the Moomba-based RFDS Flight his liver also proved the necessity of the Cooper old Jackson Bendall as he explored his relative’s Nurse assigned to the Cooper Medivac 24 team, Medivac 24 service. Cooper Basin cattle station, Epsilon, in South arrived at the scene and quickly suspected “It was a very fortuitous retrieval,” Flight Nurse Australia’s Far North by motorbike. internal injuries. Michelle says. But tragedy struck when Jackson looked back “Jackson was sitting very quietly in an armchair, “The roads at the station are not smooth, and over his shoulder towards his cousin – riding not talking too much, not moving too much and any movement at all would not have been good straight into a three-wire fence. looking very pale,” Michelle says. for him, it would have completely ruptured his Jackson’s mother, Nicole remembers the “Often when a child is in a lot of pain and liver. He would have been gone.” horrifying scene. Jackson’s eyebrows had been doesn’t want to move, you know that something Thankfully, Jackson has since made a full scalped by the fence’s top wire, revealing deep is happening internally. The force was strong recovery. His mother Nicole says: “I’ve been on gashes. There was a hole in the side of his face enough to knock him off the bike.” stations all my life and I’ve always known the and a deep welt on his arm. After administering morphine, Jackson was RFDS always go above and beyond but, when What she didn’t realise was that Jackson had cocooned in an air-cushioned mattress called a it’s for your own family, there’s another level of suffered critical internal injuries. vac-mat to ensure he remained perfectly still as gratitude.” “Jackson’s a pretty tough kid and we didn’t he was loaded on to the helicopter, bound for realise there was anything seriously wrong with Moomba, where a fixed-wing RFDS aircraft was him,” Nicole remembers. “He didn’t even cry.” waiting to meet them. Fortunately, the family immediately contacted Jackson received ‘care in the air’ on the the RFDS, which tasked the Cooper Medivac 24 90-minute RFDS flight to Adelaide’s Women’s helicopter based in Moomba, a 40-minute flight away. and Children’s Hospital, where the extent of his In consultation with the RFDS, the specialist injuries was realised. retrieval service was developed and funded by Alarmingly, his liver had received a Grade 5 RFDS corporate partners, Senex Energy and laceration, meaning it was utterly shattered. The Beach Energy, to cut delivery time of critically-ill young boy had to be immobilised for the next patients who live, work and travel in the remote three weeks to give his organ time to heal itself Cooper Basin. without surgery. The revelation of the damage to Jackson recovers in the Women’s & Children’s Hospital.

AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 18 > 5 RFDS most reputable charity for seventh year in a row >

TRUST IN Australian charities remains at its highest level in years with the RFDS named Australia’s most trusted charity for the seventh year in a row in the 2017 Charity Reputation Index. Tai-Martin Page recovers in hospital following his emergency RFDS aeromedical flight. Conducted by research consultants AMR in conjunction with the global Reputation Institute, the annual AMR Charity Reputation Index measures the overall reputation of Australia’s leading charities, as Long jet flight for well as ranks them in seven individual measurements of Services, Innovation, Workplace, Citizenship, Governance, Leadership and Cost Management. injured footballer > “Our research shows that Australian charities still have a strong reputation, with certain sectors viewed as more reputable than THE RFDS retrieved Northern Martin-Page, who was in a stable others,” AMR’s Managing Director Maree Taylor said. Territory Football League (NTFL) condition, received ‘care in the air’ throughout the 4,000-kilometre The RFDS was not only ranked first for the seventh year running, player Tai Martin-Page (pictured) return flight to the Royal Perth but it was ranked first across all the seven individual measurements. following a sickening collision that Hospital where he underwent It is the second time the RFDS has ranked first across all seven dislocated his spine between the emergency surgery by renowned dimensions, a repeat of last year. sixth and seventh vertebrae during spinal surgeon Edward Baddour. In the ranking, the RFDS scored 96.2 out of a possible 100 points. a Saturday afternoon football match in Darwin. Less than four weeks later Mr “We could never achieve this degree of public perception without Martin-Page was flown again to the dedication and professionalism of our people,” says John Lynch, A jet aircraft carrying a RFDS Royal Adelaide Hospital to be CEO of RFDS Central Operations. retrieval team left Perth in the early closer to his family living in country “This also includes our corporate and community partners, volunteers hours of Sunday morning, landing SA and to continue his recovery and Auxiliary/Support Groups who advocate so positively and in Darwin just three-and-a-half and rehabilitation. We wish him actively on behalf of the RFDS. Congratulations to you all,” he says. hours later. well with his recovery.

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6 > MAY 18 | AirDoctor Magazine Outback icon joins the team >

RFDS Central Operations Chairman, Loretta Reynolds applauds as S. Kidman & Co Executive Chairman, Mrs Gina Rinehart unveils the new badging on VH-FXZ.

RFDS CENTRAL OPERATIONS is proud to have intensive care unit’ that will conduct two missions launched a major partnership with outback icon The RFDS has every day is something we hope will be helpful to and one of the nation’s largest beef producers, provided a lifeline to many people and help to save lives.” S. Kidman & Co. RFDS Central Operations Chairman, Loretta In recognition of the $500,000-plus sponsorship the bush communities Reynolds said the impact of S. Kidman & Co.’s deal, a medically-equipped aircraft, VH-FXZ for 90 years. direct financial support would be far reaching. (Foxtrot-X-ray-Zulu), bearing the S. Kidman & “RFDS Central Operations will invest $50 Co logo has been unveiled by the company’s Mrs Gina Rinehart Executive Chairman, Mrs Gina Rinehart. million in capital over the next five years for the replacement of existing aircraft in our fleet, as ‘Zulu’ is one of 69 RFDS aircraft located across well as the introduction next year of the RFDS the country, many of which serving the outback Australia’s leader in aeromedical and primary areas of central and northern Australia where health care in rural and remote Australia. PC-24 Jet – ’s first purpose- built aeromedical jet – together with medical the S. Kidman & Co stations and communities “The RFDS has provided a lifeline to the bush equipment and infrastructure upgrades,” operate. communities for 90 years,” Mrs Rinehart said at she says. S. Kidman & Co runs over 160,000 beef cattle the announcement at RFDS Adelaide Base. across 11 pastoral properties and a feedlot “The continued support from the entire “It’s remarkable to think that in South and Central covering 80,000 square kilometres in three community – our ‘ground crew’ of donors, Australia alone the RFDS airlifts 25 patients every states and the Northern Territory. It is owned community fundraisers, corporate sponsors by Australian Outback Beef, a joint venture of day – over 100 across the country every day,” and volunteers – will be critical to us meeting Hancock Prospecting and Shangai CRED. she said. our financial challenges, and we’re very delighted Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman, Mrs “Our board and our staff are proud to be playing to have Mrs Rinehart and S. Kidman & Co on Gina Rinehart, says she is very pleased to be a role in helping to make this happen, and board with us on this very important and aligning the S. Kidman & Co brand alongside to have the Kidman brand on a RFDS ‘flying critical journey.”

AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 18 > 7 THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE 1937 The SA Section first operates out of Broken 90 years of Hill, jointly with the NSW Section. saving lives: 1928 First flight of the AIM 1932 Aerial Medical Service: Pilot Arthur Affleck takes The success of off with Dr Kenyon St operations in Vincent Welch from Cloncurry, and the 1928-2018 Cloncurry, , increasing public on 17 May, in a De awareness of the Havilland DH50 bi-plane service, results in a named ‘Victory’ leased push for a national from for two network of shillings per mile flown. flying doctors.

Reverend Lieutenant OBE John Flynn OBE Clifford Peel 1929 1936 In 1917, the death of Jimmy Darcy, Flynn commenced his 10-year a stockman injured near Halls campaign to provide an aerial Thanks to Alfred An official Federal Creek in the Kimberley region medical service and to fulfil his Traeger’s invention of the Council for the Flying of Western Australia ignited a vision for a ‘mantle of safety’ pedal-powered wireless, Doctor is formed. The national debate over the lack of for the people of the outback. people living in isolation SA Section, including medical services to the outback. In 1925, met Alfred Traeger, an in the Outback are able the Northern Territory, is Adelaide engineer, who was That same year, founder and leader to call on the ‘Flying formed. Two additional employed as a radio expert and of the Australian Inland Mission Doctor’ for help in an Queensland bases open electrician by AIM to develop (AIM), Reverend John Flynn emergency. in Charters Towers and Morse code communications received an inspirational letter from Charleville. The NSW across large distances. Lieutenant Clifford Peel, a Victorian Section and WA Sections medical student and aviator. Peel On 15 May 1928, Flynn's dream are formed; WA’s first suggested the use of aircraft to became a reality when a long- base at Port Hedland bridge the vast distances of the time supporter, H.V. (Hugh) commences operations. interior; shot down in action over McKay, left a large bequest for France shortly after, Peel never 'an aerial experiment', enabling knew that his letter became a Flynn to establish the AIM’s blueprint for the creation of the Aerial Medical Service. Royal Flying Doctor Service.

8 > MAY 18 | AirDoctor Magazine 1937 1954 The SA Section first Queen Elizabeth II and operates out of Broken the Duke of Edinburgh Hill, jointly with the visit the Flying Doctor NSW Section. 1940 Service Broken Hill Base. Sister Myra Blanch is one of the first nurses, 1950 known as ‘Flying Sisters’, to join the The Flying Doctor Flying Doctor, working Service collaborates 1951 1960 during the 1940s with the Red Cross, TAA, and ‘50s. the Department of Civil The School of the Air Flight Nurses begin Aviation and the RAAF to begins, using the Flying operations on a regular explore new techniques Doctor Service radio basis; aircraft purchases for dropping medical network to link children begin as a progressive supplies to outback and their teacher. program with the service communities stranded by employing its own pilots flood or other hazards. and engineers.

1939 1942 1947 1951 1955 The first Flying Doctor Remote medicine Anne Lewis becomes Sister Lucy Garlick Becomes the Royal base owned and becomes a reality when the first female pilot to develops the ‘where Flying Doctor Service operated independently RFDS Medical Chests fly for the Flying Doctor does it hurt chart’ still by royal warrant from by SA Section is opened are introduced to Service. She flies used in RFDS Medical the Queen. in Alice Springs. outback stations. patients to medical Chests today. care in Kalgoorlie in Opening of the RFDS the late 1940s. Flying Doctor Service Port Augusta Base. founder John Flynn dies on 5 May, aged 70.

The air service changes its name to the Flying Doctor Service. 1960 90 2016 2018 1985YEARS 1994 RFDS Darwin Tourist Flight Nurses begin RFDS celebrates Facility opens on 90 years of saving operations on a regular The Flying Doctors TV The service works with Stokes Hill Wharf. basis; aircraft purchases series, featuring Peter the Reserve Bank to lives in May. begin as a progressive O’Brien and Rebecca design the $20 note, Opening of new RFDS program with the service Gibney first airs and which features the Construction of the Adelaide Base at employing its own pilots gains an international face of RFDS founder RFDS Darwin Base at Adelaide Airport. and engineers. following. Reverend John Flynn. Darwin International Airport.

1970 1990 2018/19 Arrival of the RFDS A permanent exhibition ‘Air Ambulance’ PC-24 Jet telling the history of services commence (January 2019) Reverend John Flynn, the from Adelaide Airport. RFDS and the experience of the early Outback pioneers opens in Alice 2002 Springs; remains today as the award-winning The SA Section of RFDS Alice Springs the RFDS becomes Tourist Facility. known as Central Operations. 1995 Global launch customer and arrival of the first Pilatus PC12 aircraft, remains preferred aircraft type for operations in SA/ NT and WA operation to this day. AIR DOCTOR AUS 210 X 210 EN

THANK YOU FOR FLYING PILATUS From outback strips to city airports, the Pilatus PC-12 has operated day and night for over twenty years to keep the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in the air. As a future operator of the new PC-24, the RFDS is set to continue its tradition as a loyal and valuable member of the Pilatus family. We are all extremely proud to be associated with the RFDS and their provision of the finest care to the furthest corners with our aircraft – yesterday, today and in the future.

Pilatus Australia Pty Ltd • Phone +61 8 8238 1600 • www.pilatus-aircraft.com Visit fit for a Prince >

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner were the guests of honour at the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility during a special event as part of the Royal visit to Australia. Members of the RFDS Central Operations team had the pleasure of greeting Prince Charles and talking to him about the services offered by the RFDS in the JOHN LYNCH TONY VAUGHAN Northern Territory and South Australia. CEO DEPUTY CEO “I’m very proud to be Patron of the Flying Doctor. It’s a remarkable operation I think.” says His Royal Highness. End of an era for John > His Royal Highness’ visit to the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility followed a visit to RFDS CENTRAL OPERATIONS CEO John Lynch unwavering guidance and support throughout the RFDS Cairns Base to unveil the name of their newest B350 Super King Air; the and the Board have agreed upon his retirement his service to the RFDS and, ultimately, the ‘Outback Angel’. from his role in December 2018. communities we serve,” she says. Mr Lynch joined the RFDS at its Broken Hill Base When John commenced as CEO of RFDS as Accountant in 1986. He was appointed Chief Central Operations it assisted over 38,000 Financial Officer of RFDS Central Operations patients every year, including 6,000 aeromedical in 1991 and assumed the position of CEO in evacuations, and operated 10 medically- December 2000. equipped aircraft across three aeromedical bases and managed one remote primary “I have been fortunate to have worked with so health facility. many incredible people,” Mr Lynch says. “It has been a privilege to hold positions with an Today, the organisation conducts over 50,000 organisation that means so much to so many.” patient contacts per year, including 9,000 aeromedical evacuations. It operates a fleet of Ms Loretta Reynolds, Chairman of RFDS Central 18 medically-equipped Pilatus PC12 aircraft Operations, says John’s 32-year contribution to located across four aeromedical bases, and the RFDS has been remarkable. manages three remote primary health facilities “John’s passion and commitment to meeting the in outback SA. John Lynch, CEO, RFDS Central Operations, welcomes the needs of our patients has been second to none, Prince of Wales to the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility, with NT A succession plan is in place, with Tony Vaughan Chief Minister Michael Gunner. balanced with his outstanding business acumen appointed as Deputy CEO after joining the which directed unprecedented growth and organisation as Chief Operations Officer in financial security of the organisation,” 2014, following 33 years with the SA Ambulance Ms Reynolds says. Service, including his final four years as General “On behalf of the Board, past and present, we Manager of SAAS’ MedSTAR Emergency offer our sincere appreciation to John for his Medical Retrieval Service.

12 > MAY 18 | AirDoctor Magazine Elders CEO Mark Allison and members of the Elders team with ‘Whiskey’ at Adelaide Base. Elders partnership takes off >

AGRIBUSINESS ELDERS has launched a major RFDS Central Operations Deputy CEO Tony sponsorship of RFDS Central Operations. Elders and the RFDS Vaughan says the significance of Elders’ financial Elders chief executive Mark Allison says that share so much in support is that it will reach far and wide – and through its significant investment in the RFDS, deliver lasting community benefit. Elders will be further supporting its clients, common in terms of “The RFDS conducts over 100 aeromedical employees and the communities in which the their commitment to rural flights across Australia every day – but it relies 178-year-old company operates. on the support from the community to keep its “Elders and the RFDS share so much in common and regional Australia crews in the sky,” Mr Vaughan says. in terms of their commitment to rural and regional “Our association with Elders staff and branches Australia, especially the health, wellbeing and Mark Allison supporting bush fundraisers stretches back prosperity of the people who live in these In recognition of the new partnership, the decades, and it’s terrific to have the company communities,” Mr Allison says. medically-equipped aircraft, VH-FXW (Foxtrot- also supporting our work in this tangible manner,” “It is only natural that a company such as Elders X-ray-Whiskey) bearing the Elders logo was he says. – whose roots are firmly entrenched in the rural unveiled during the sponsorship announcement. landscape – supports an organisation such as “Elders’ sponsorship will directly support our the RFDS which provides emergency medical “With Elders on the ground supporting country capital-raising program for on-going upgrade and primary health care services to those who communities and the RFDS in the skies above of our fleet of medically-equipped aircraft live, work or travel in rural and remote Australia,” doing the same, our partnership is the perfect that deliver emergency aeromedical services he says. fit,” Mr Allison says. throughout South and Central Australia.”

AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 18 > 13 A patient is loaded on to a RFDS ‘flying intensive care unit’ to be airlifted to a major hospital for heart treatment. Study finds higher bush cardiac deaths >

DID YOU KNOW that remote Australians are The research analysed 95,723 aeromedical 1.6 times more likely to be hospitalised for evacuations conducted by the RFDS, of which coronary heart disease than people in major 20,379 (21.3 per cent) were for cardiovascular cities, and 1.3 times more likely to die? disease. troponin testing, cardiologist-supported decision In an even more remarkable statistic, an average Recent research by the RFDS also found that making, and earlier RFDS patient transfer to Indigenous Australians were 1.7 times more of 112 patients per week – 16 patients a day major hospitals. – were airlifted from a remote community or likely than non-Indigenous Australians to die from “The program delivered a 22 per cent country hospital to a major metropolitan hospital coronary heart disease. improvement in 30-day survival rates for for heart treatment. The Cardiovascular health in remote and rural remote and rural patients with acute myocardial “Despite the disparity in heart health outcomes infarction, or heart attack. communities report reveals remote Australians between city and bush, evidence shows the gap see doctors at half the rate of city people, and “This closed the mortality difference between city can be closed,” Dr Laverty says. and bush hospitals, proving that when patients specialists at one third the rate. Between 2001 and 2008, the South Australian get the right care or are flown to it, survival rates “It’s no surprise more country people die and integrated Cardiovascular Clinical Network from heart attack in the city and the bush can be are hospitalised with heart disease that can be (iCCNet) established a support program for equalised,” Dr Laverty concludes. prevented and managed,” says Dr Martin Laverty, remote care services to manage heart attacks Download the full report at RFDS Federation CEO. through expert risk stratification, point-of-care www.flyingdoctor.org.au/research

14 > MAY 18 | AirDoctor Magazine A ‘shocking’ innovation New AEDs to enhance RFDS Medical Chests > The RFDS will be supplying life-saving Automatic External Defibrillator (AEDs) to 80 remote communities and stations thanks to the generosity of employees at Petie Rankin, McDouall Peak Station, via Coober Pedy, with a RFDS Australia’s leading life insurer TAL. Medical Chest.

IN CONSULTATION with an on-call RFDS Medical compressions at a 100 per minute,” he says. lives of rural and remote Australians. Officer via telephone and radio, RFDS Medical “You retrieve the AED from the medical chest and Their efforts raised more than $112,000 in the Chests allow patients to be treated for a range apply the pads; if a shockable rhythm is recorded process – which, when matched defibrillator for of medical conditions guided by the doctor, who the ‘voice’ of the defibrillator prompts you to defibrillator by the TAL Community Foundation, approves the use of antibiotics, pain relief and deliver a ‘shock’. amounted to the 80 new AEDs. other treatments including those required prior to aeromedical evacuation. “Your energetic CPR, now combined with the “Thank you TAL. It’s wonderful to have the very AED, will give the patient the best chance of “AEDs are a potentially life-saving device that prompt recognition by a donor that (the AED) is a survival whilst the Flying Doctor is on its way. most people in metropolitan areas take for valuable innovation and to come behind us and granted – they are typically available in airports, help us deliver it,” Dr Woodall says. hotels, large shopping centres,” says Dr John Kent Griffin, TAL Chief Financial Officer and TAL Woodall, Chief Medical Officer, RFDS Central Studies show that Community Foundation council member says Operations. improved public access his company is “delighted” to be working in “In a cardiovascular crisis, the detection of partnership with the RFDS. an abnormal and ‘shockable’ cardiac rhythm to defibrillation doubles “The partnership between TAL and the RFDS followed by prompt, appropriate, defibrillation survival rate of patients brings together two organisations that share a can be life-saving,” Dr Woodall says. focus on finding innovative ways to make a real “Studies show that improved public access to Dr John Woodall difference,” Griffin says. defibrillation doubles the survival rate of patients at one month post cardiac arrest, with survivors “We are exceedingly grateful to TAL for the “We are delighted to have been able to having a ‘favourable neurologic’ outcome.” generosity shown by their employees to support contribute in a meaningful way to the RFDS, to Dr Woodall suggests your partner or work this valuable innovation, which will undoubtedly help them deliver life-improving medical services colleague collapsing without warning as an save lives,” Dr Woodall says. and expertise to Australians when they need it most. example. TAL is National Partner of the RFDS. In addition “Informed by your First Aid training, you call for to its three-year corporate sponsorship, TAL “We look forward to building on the success of help and take turns providing cardio-pulmonary employees embraced the fundraising challenge our ‘Insuring the heart of Australia’ campaign resuscitation (CPR); applying forceful chest set by the company to help the RFDS save the throughout our partnership with the RFDS.”

AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 18 > 15 Meet the team: on the ground with Carol-Ann > In this issue, we talk to Mental Health Nurse Carol-Ann Stanborough about her role with the Flying Doctor.

Tell us about yourself What are your first impressions? I might also spend time in an Indigenous I’m originally from and moved My colleagues have been very supportive and community, getting to know patients, letting them to South Australia in 1988. I’m a Registered welcoming. In some large organisations you know about the services the RFDS provides and helping to provide any care they may need. Nurse, midwife and mental health nurse. Much can feel like a very tiny piece of the puzzle, of my career has been spent working in rural whereas at the RFDS I feel like my skills are What do you enjoy most? really valued. So far I’ve really enjoyed using my and remote communities in various roles, from There are two distinct parts to my role and I enjoy management skills in setting up the required general nursing to mental health projects and them both. I really enjoying meeting people in systems and processes in addition to getting management. Outside of work I enjoy gardening, remote and regional areas, building rapport and out in the community providing clinical mental providing the care they need. Secondly, I enjoy reading, music, watching movies, cooking and I health services and forging links with other gathering and analysing data, setting up systems love to travel. organisations to ensure people get the best and continuously finding ways to improve how Can you summarise your role as Mental possible care. we can work most effectively in what can be very Health Nurse? What does a typical day look like? challenging environments. I assess, treat and coordinate mental health There’s no typical day! I work in the Far North, What would you say to those considering a care for people with severe and complex mental North West and North East of South Australia as career in mental health care, or to those who health issues as part of a team of primary health part of RFDS primary health-care clinics. A day are interested in working in a rural and remote care clinicians. might involve a fly-in-fly-out clinic to a remote environment? community or station; time in the office at our Mental health is everybody’s business and it What made you want to join the RFDS? Port Augusta Base, talking to patients on the forms part of all nursing and health service I was drawn to the fact that the RFDS was telephone or via video call to assess their mental provision. It’s wonderful to make a difference to looking for a mental health clinician to work health and wellbeing. I will then coordinate further people’s wellbeing. Working in rural and remote as part of a team alongside nurses and GPs, care or refer them to other health services. communities offers many unique opportunities rather than as part of a separate mental health I also spend time flying to remote areas to to stretch yourself both professionally and team. That has meant that mental health is less provide physical nursing care. People with personally. Right now I can’t imagine doing stigmatised in the community and for me it offers mental health issues can often present with poor anything else! a wonderful opportunity to work as part of a physical health, so providing general health care Find out more about careers with RFDS at team with diverse skills. is really important. flyingdoctor.org.au/careers

16 > MAY 18 | AirDoctor Magazine Car run raises $70,000 >

A COMMUNITY-MINDED group of ‘muscle Receiving funds raising on behalf of RFDS car’ enthusiasts has raised an incredible Central Operations, Community Fundraising $70,000 for the Flying Doctor as part of Coordinator Kristen Newlyn says “we are the Westbound Wanderers Car Run from so grateful for this wonderful support. As Adelaide to Coolie, WA. we celebrate our 90th year of saving lives, it’s humbling to receive such wonderful Participants proudly presented $35,000 to community support to meet the shortfall in both RFDS Central Operations and RFDS our operational funding and to finance the Western Operations. replacement of our ‘flying intensive care units’ at a cost of $7 million.” Colin Layzell and Ray Scott, Westbound Wanderers organising committee.

Outback bound > 39 ‘rounds’ of golf > THE OZ Outback Odyssey is an event like no THE ANNUAL Petroleum Exploration Society of South other. It’s SA’s premier outback event for car Australia (PESA) Golf Day has been a fundraising mainstay enthusiasts and adventurers alike, providing for the RFDS since its inception back in the late 1970s. a truly unique outback experience whilst The fashion on the course may have changed, but the golf raising vital funds for the Flying Doctor. day continues to provide a wonderful day for sponsors and This year will be the 26th year of this unique PESA members to network and take part in the ‘fun and event which packs a life-time of experiences games’ at each hole or green, all whilst raising vital funds of traveling through the Australian Outback for the RFDS. into one awesome week as entrants traverse “We’re so grateful for PESA’s ongoing support, which has rugged, spectacular and remote regions seen an incredible $370,000 raised for the Flying Doctor of Australia in pre-1985 vehicles and 4WD over the past 39 years,” Kristen Newlyn, RFDS Community support vehicles. Departing from the historic Fundraising Coordinator, says. Birdwood Motor Museum on Saturday 14 July, the eight-day event will conclude at Cotton Tree, Queensland. Climbing high > Another close shave > To sign up or for more details visit ozoutbackodyssey.com.au CONGRATULATIONS and thank you to JIA MCGURGAN, a young man from Cadell in SA’s Bec Heah and Gary Lewis who recently Riverland, has raised funds through shaving his hair conquered Antarctica’s Vinson Massif, every year since 2014, raising a very impressive one of the world’s ‘seven summits’ on $10,000 for the Flying Doctor! Good on you, a fundraising mission for the RFDS. Jia and thank you for your wonderful support.

AirDoctor Magazine | MAY 18 > 17 Leave a life-saving legacy

Your Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) airlifts 100 Australians across the country every day for life-saving or specialist medical treatment.

We rely on bequests to keep our ‘flying intensive care units’ in the sky. With your future bequest – planned today – you will save lives for decades to come.

Please remember the RFDS in your will.

To receive your complimentary copy of our special bequest booklet, call Ross Curtis on (08) 8238 3333 or email [email protected]