SECTION 2018/19

The furthest corner. The finest care. The furthest corner. The finest care.

Providing excellence in, and access to, primary health care and aeromedical services across Queensland for 91 years.

2 The furthest corner. The finest care. Queensland Section | 2018-2019 3 RFDS (Queensland Section) 2019 Annual General Meeting Chairman’s Report

Over the past year, the Queensland Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service has made significant progress, and continues to expand its vital role in delivering aeromedical and primary health care services to people in regional, rural and remote parts of the State. MARK GRAY – CHAIRMAN

There’s no doubt if our founder, Reverend John There’s no doubt if our founder, Flynn, could see where we are today, he would be proud of how far we have come. From a single Reverend , could see leased plane in Cloncurry in 1928, the where we are today, he would be RFDS has now been recognised as ’s proud of how far we have come. most reputable charity for the eighth year in a row, based on its unswerving commitment to delivering Flynn’s original vision – still so relevant today – of a “mantle of safety” for the bush. van under the innovative program we pioneered in 2012 with the support of Q-Coal. As I will be stepping down as Chairman at this year’s Annual General Meeting, I would like to In April last year, we were delighted to welcome reflect briefly on some of the key milestones of His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales to the last three years and, indeed, the total of five the Cairns base during the Gold Coast years that I have served in this role (including an Commonwealth Games for the dedication of earlier stint from 2011 to 2013). VH-FDD as “Outback Angel”. Firstly, in 2018, we launched a new Strategic Plan, Last year, we also celebrated the 90th Anniversary to pursue expansion of primary health care services of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the occasion and aeromedical programs, support the growth was marked by a birthday tribute dinner in Cloncurry and development of RFDS employees, promote attended by our Patron, His Excellency the Hon innovation and develop partnerships and best Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. practice standards. This plan has shaped and As part of the celebrations, we witnessed the defined a clear direction for the organisation, and Antique Aircraft association first flight re-enactment has firmly set the tone for years to come. from Cloncurry to Julia Creek, we held an exhibition Last year, as a result of extensive advocacy, we at the National Museum, we were honoured with were able to secure restoration of our traditional a Queensland Parliamentary reception and we services funding levels, following a reduction in celebrated our 90 years during Local Hero events funding in the previous year. This meant a around the state. substantial improvement in our national funding The RFDS Foundation was incorporated with effect profile, extending our Traditional Services Contract from 1 July 2018. The Foundation is designed to for a four year period through until June 2022. encourage social venture capital investment and In addition, new funding was secured to expand greater long term philanthropic support for the our services in the fields of dental and mental RFDS in perpetuity. It will provide a significant health. As a result, we have been able to maintain boost to our fundraising efforts, as we plan for a and expand the operation of our mobile dental period of sustained growth.

4 The furthest corner. The finest care. In July last year, we farewelled outgoing Chief of the Bundaberg development, our joint project Executive Officer Nino Di Marco at the Wings for with LifeFlight to construct a purpose-built Base Life Gala. I would like to acknowledge Nino’s and patient transfer facility which is on track to enormous dedication and contribution to the be fully operational early in 2020. Finally, we RFDS over an extended period of time. In August are delighted that the Federal Government 2018, we welcomed our new Chief Executive has committed $15 million in new funding for Officer Meredith Staib. Meredith has made a great the establishment of an aeromedical retrieval start in her role, refreshing our strategic plan and simulation centre, also in Bundaberg. bringing new energy and focus to the organisation. We have worked hard to strengthen our financial In early 2019, the RFDS played a leading role position. In addition to improved Federal funding, we as part of a multi-agency network response to were able to secure better funding arrangements the flood crisis in the north and north west of for our inter-hospital transfer contracts with Queensland. Our swift response and role in the Queensland Health, and we have also made provision of counselling and emotional support great advances in our fundraising efforts. As a services in affected areas was outstanding. result, we are now well placed to pursue our renewed strategy of “Towards 100” by investing in Over the last 12 months, we have introduced critical infrastructure that will enhance our service four additional aircraft which has enabled us capacity and ensure that we are “future fit” to to reconfigure our fleet to provide dedicated meet the ongoing challenges of improving health clinic aircraft in Mount Isa, Cairns and Charleville, outcomes for the people we serve. thereby enhancing our service capacity and responsiveness across the network. In particular, we are formulating 10-year plans for infrastructure investment and aircraft replacement We have also made encouraging progress in which will include further expansion of our bases building better relationships with key stakeholders, and improvements in patient transfer facilities, especially forging partnerships with regional including potential developments of aeromedical Hospital and Health Services and Primary super-hubs in Brisbane and Townsville. Healthcare Networks. For example, successful Health Forums have been held with key stakeholders I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have in Charleville and Cairns, in conjunction with away worked alongside RFDS Board Directors, the Board visits. leadership team and RFDS staff, marvellous people who embody the spirit and the success Other highlights this year include the opening of the organisation. of the Traeger Clinical Innovation and Learning Centre by His Excellency the Hon Paul de Jersey With the hard work that has been done to put the AC, Governor of Queensland and a subsequent building blocks in place, I can be confident that visit by the Governor General His Excellency, the RFDS in Queensland will continue to go from Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove. strength to strength in providing the finest health care to the furthest corners of our vast state. This facility helps to deliver on our organisation’s promise to embrace innovation and best practice It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as care, using cutting-edge technology and the highest your Chairman. possible standard of training for our frontline team members. Mark Gray As well, a boost for the organisation and greater Chairman Wide Bay community has been the commencement RFDS (Queensland Section)

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside RFDS Board Directors, the leadership team and RFDS staff, marvellous people who embody the spirit and the success of the organisation.

Queensland Section | 2018-2019 5 6 The furthest corner. The finest care. From the Chief Executive Officer

Prior to joining the Royal Flying Doctor Service, I had long admired the organisation. 12 months in, my admiration is twofold.

One, for the passion and commitment of our staff for the work they do and two, for the incredible support we receive from our supporters and the community who again selected us as Australia’s most trusted charity. MEREDITH STAIB – CEO

2018/19 has been a significant year for the With your help we purchased and RFDS in Queensland and we have made some incredible strides. Thanks to your support, we brought four new clinic aircraft provided 98,191 occasions of care across into service, enhancing our fleet Queensland which went beyond helping people and service delivery for patients in an emergency. across Queensland Primary health care is a growing area for the RFDS and attributed to over 41% of our activity, something we are very proud of. This primary health care focus covers traditional GP consultations, nursing Queensland. The flood and ongoing drought has clinics, mental health consultations and dental been tough on communities and now more than clinics. We are committed to continuing to invest ever, our expanded mental health services play a in these areas to ensure better health outcomes for pivotal part in supporting those in desperate need. regional, rural and remote Queenslanders. And finally, our commitment to best practice Now, as we move towards 100 years of operation across the organisation saw Cairns, Charleville we have refocussed our organisational strategy and Mount Isa Bases achieve full Royal to evolve with our changing community and Australian College of General Practitioners stakeholder needs. This will ensure patients, our (RACGP) accreditation standards this year. We people and innovation remain at the forefront of successfully transitioned to CASA Part 141 everything we do. permitting the RFDS to conduct flight training and achieved IS-BAO Stage 2 and ECAAS With your help we purchased and brought four new accreditations. clinic aircraft into service, enhancing our fleet and service delivery for patients across Queensland. The RFDS has a history of innovation at its core and it remains an important part of who we are We worked hard to strengthen our financial today. With your help, through the passion and position and are formulating 10-year plans for dedication of our staff and in the spirit of John infrastructure investment and aircraft replacement. Flynn and Alfred Traeger we will continue to Our workforce will now benefit from the innovate and drive the service towards long-term introduction of a mentor program for rural pilots, sustainability in aeromedical and primary health nurse practitioner trials and medical intern care services. placements for post graduate junior doctors. In early 2019, the RFDS played a leading role Meredith Staib in the multi-agency network response to the Chief Executive Officer monsoon event in the north and north west of RFDS (Queensland Section)

Queensland Section | 2018-2019 7 Northern Peninsula Area Locations we travelled New Mapoon Seisia Umagico to within Queensland > Bamaga Injinoo Horn Island Northern Peninsula Airport

Pungalina Skardon River Calvert Hills Benmara Walhallow Station Mittiebah station Alexandria Station Gallipoli Alpurrurulam Mapoon Bramwell Station Ampilatwatja Station Tobermorey Weipa Alice Springs Napranum Wattle Hills Lockhart River Merluna Aurukun Lismore Moree Grafton Inverell CoŽs Harbour Coen

Musgrave Station Pormpuraaw Strathmay Lizard Island Lakefield Cape Flattery Essendon Kowanyama Laura Rutland Plains Cooktown Pinnacle Station Lakeland Koolatah Downs Wujal Wujal DrumduŽ Dunbar Station Mornington Island Gamboola Aviation statistics for 2018/19 Wortham Park Cairns Number of landings 21,021 Pungalina Vanrook Station Mareeba Sweers Island Delta Downs Chillagoe Wollogorang Hours flown 22,796 Stirling Station Dimbulah Atherton Miranda Downs Herberton Malanda Karumba Innisfail Kilometres flown 7,671,244 Burketown Ravenshoe Normanton Wernadinga Mission Beach Doomadgee Georgetown Tully Planet Downs Mount Suprise Augustus Downs Forsayth Ingham Century Mine Neumayer Croydon Valley Einasleigh Gregory Downs Craigs Pocket Adels Grove Donors Hill Gilberton Station Palm Island Kidston Greenvale Mellish Park Lorraine Woodstock Herbertvale Cattleyard Station Werrington Station Burke & Wills Roadhouse Oak Valley Townsville Undilla Kamileroi Munjuro Homestead Boomarra Canobie Ayr Wando Vale Station Charters Towers Camooweal Gregory Springs Ravenswood Bunda Bunda Lolworth Bowen Dugald River Mine Saxby Downs Mount Isa Hamilton Island Fort Constantine Pentland Mount Gordon Proserpine Barkly Downs Julia Creek Richmond Cloncurry McKinlay Proa Hughenden Alexandria Station Collinsville Headingly Oban Barenya Mackay

Urandangie The Monument Glenagra Dajarra Cannington Mine QLD Moray Downs Osborne Mine Moranbah Toolebuc Winton Roxborough Downs Muttaburra Lake Dunn Dysart Williamson Clermont Boulia Aramac Middlemount Warra Sapphire Jericho Barcaldine Rockhampton Longreach Blackwater Ilfracombe Alpha Emerald Gladstone Davenport Downs Springsure Woorabinda Isisford Baralaba Eldwick Station Stonehenge Buckland Road Emergency Airstrip Bedourie Blackall Jindalee Rolleston Moura Thangool Monkira Albeni Hawthorne Jundah Yaraka Tambo Ingelara Monto Bundaberg Babbiloora Theodore Bayswater Mount Owen Windorah Eidsvold Hervey Bay Trinidad Tooloombilla Mundubbera Maryborough Betoota Augathella Moothandella Road Tanbar Injune Taroom Gayndah Birdsville Emergency Airstrip Cherbourg Thylungra Wondai Charleville Morven Mitchell Naryilco Quilpie Roma Kingaroy Sunshine Eromanga Miles Coast Chinchilla Caboolture Quilpeta Surat Tara Dalby Brisbane Wareo Toowoomba Millmerran Noccundra Nardoo Yowah Cunnamulla Bollon St George Thargomindah Warwick Eulo Coolangatta Inglewood Wittenburra Dirranbandi Goondiwindi Texas Stanthorpe Hungerford Mungindi

8 The furthest corner. The finest care. Northern Peninsula Area

New Mapoon Our primary health Seisia Bamaga Umagico care locations > Injinoo

Northern Peninsula Airport Child and Family Health Services Mobile Dental Unit Health Promotion Field Days Mental Health Services Mapoon Bramwell Station General Practice Services Weipa Napranum Wattle Hills Lockhart River

Coen More than emergency aeromedical retrievals, Pormpuraaw Musgrave Station RFDS provides primary Kowanyama Laura health care services to Cooktown Pinnacle Station more than 41,000 Wujal Wujal Dunbar Station people in 109 locations Mornington Island across Queensland. Cairns Wortham Park Station Mareeba Delta Downs Chillagoe Station Atherton Dimbulah Babinda Herberton Karumba Malanda Burketown Ravenshoe Innisfail Normanton Mission Beach Doomadgee Tully Georgetown Mount Suprise Forsayth Croydon Adels Grove Einasleigh Gregory Downs Donors Hill Station Gilberton Station Greenvale Werrington Station Townsville

Wando Vale Station Camooweal Gregory Springs Station Ravenswood Mount Isa Pentland Julia Creek Richmond Cloncurry Hughenden Collinsville McKinlay Barenya Station

Urandangie Dajarra QLD

Winton Muttaburra Lake Dunn Aramac Clermont Boulia Sapphire Jericho Longreach Barcaldine Rockhampton Ilfracombe Alpha

Springsure Isisford Bedourie Stonehenge Blackall Rolleston

Jundah Yaraka Tambo Monto Bundaberg Theodore

Windorah

Augathella Birdsville Injune Charleville Cherbourg Morven

Eromanga Quilpie Mitchell Roma

Surat Tara Brisbane

Yowah Thargomindah Cunnamulla St George Eulo Dirranbandi

Queensland Section | 2018-2019 9 Top 10 aeromedical evacuation flight paths for each base >

Thursday Island Horn Island Brisbane Mount Isa Bamaga Bundaberg Rockhampton Cairns Townsville Charleville

Number of Weipa Aeromedical and transports Lockhart River emergency services for 2018/19 Aurukun Clinic Opportunistic 41

Coen Inter-Hospital Transfer 10,560

Primary Response 1,099 Pormpuraaw Repatriation 77

Kowanyama Cooktown

Mornington Island Cairns

Innisfail Burketown Normanton Doomadgee

Georgetown

Townsville

Camooweal Mount Isa Proserpine Cloncurry Julia Creek Hughenden Alpurrurulam Mackay QLD

Winton

Boulia

Rockhampton Longreach Barcaldine Emerald Blackwater Gladstone

Moura Monto Bundaberg

Hervey Bay

Maryborough Birdsville

Kingaroy Quilpie Charleville Roma Miles Brisbane Toowoomba

Thargomindah Cunnamulla St George

Dirranbandi Goondiwindi Mungindi

10 The furthest corner. The finest care. Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) works to provide primary health care and emergency medical services to anyone who lives, works or travels in rural and remote Queensland.

We are governed by a skills-based Board of Directors with Operating from nine Bases across Queensland, our a strong connection to rural and remote Queensland. mission to provide excellence in and access to primary More than half of its members currently live in regional health care and aeromedical services sees us deliver Queensland, with several of its representatives also being more than 98,000 occasions of care to people across current or former rural GPs or Flying Doctors. the state each year.

Strategic Priorities

Continuous, ongoing Support focus on best practice our people

Consolidate and pursue Operational excellence expansion of our primary in aviation and other health care services and delivery platforms aeromedical program

Stakeholder Build and foster a and partnership culture of continuous development innovation

Queensland Section | 2018-2019 11 Our complete, multi-disciplinary approach to health care We employ some of the most highly qualified medical officers, nurses and mental health professionals in the country.

Our ability to access some of the most remote parts of the country over the past 91 years places us in a privileged position of trust within these communities. With our background in aeromedical retrieval, we have grown to be one of the largest providers of primary health care services in the country. We actively collaborate with other like-minded health care partners such as Primary Health Networks, Hospital and Health Services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, to support and promote multidisciplinary, team-based care for the people of regional, rural and remote Queensland. We are committed and engaged in clinical design and innovation tailored for Queensland’s rural and remote populations.

Aeromedical Services Our aeromedical operations include both primary retrievals and interhospital patient transfers across Queensland. Working in partnership with Retrieval Services Queensland and alongside other service providers, we provide access to emergency and specialist care for more than 11,700 patients each year.

GP Clinics Comprehensive full and half day clinics are regularly conducted at more than 30 throughout Queensland. With more than 26,970 patients seen in the past 12 months, our GP Clinics include a range of additional services including skin and hearing checks. Our highly qualified GPs and PHC Nurses are enabling clinical leadership and patient centered care, specifically tailored for Queensland’s rural and remote population.

Child and Maternal Health All of our PHC nurses are trained midwives, and alongside our Medical Officers, offer a comprehensive Child and Maternal Health service to expecting and new mothers across Queensland.

Field Day and Health Promotion RFDS Field Days were conducted at 15 cattle stations this year, tailored specifically around individual community needs. Held in conjunction with our GP Clinics, the Field Days provide a true social experience with a health promotion focus, covering areas such as first aid, diet and nutrition, mental health and exercise.

12 The furthest corner. The finest care. Mental Health Our dedicated Mental Health Clinicians deliver comprehensive services to people suffering mental health issues. Working closely with local GPs under a Stepped Care approach, our clinicians provide a full range of interventions, from low intensity, through to the more severe and complex disorders. Our Mental Health program delivered 11,915 occasions of care in the past 12 months, predominantly across the Far North and Central Western regions of Queensland. The RFDS is also continuing its role as Lead Agency for headspace in Cairns, which is responsible for the provision of youth mental health and counselling services in the region. Further strengthening its provision of mental health services across the state, the RFDS also facilitates the Drought Wellbeing Service (DWS), a free counselling and support program for people living and working in drought affected areas across Queensland.

Telehealth Our Medical Officers located in Mount Isa, Cairns and Charleville offer a 24-hour medical consultation service to people living, working or travelling in remote and rural Queensland. We have extended our telehealth service to include the use of videoconferencing technology from our Cairns Base to people living in northern parts of the state. The telehealth service has also expanded over the past 12 months to include after hours and weekend consultation times.

Medical Chests We provide more than 1,200 medical chests to remote communities (cattle stations, mining sites, off shore enterprises) across the state and into the . The contents of the chests are prescribed remotely by RFDS Medical Officers, with the support of a 24/7 aeromedical emergency and telehealth service.

RFDS Dental Service Our custom built, mobile dental surgery travels to 16 remote communities each year. This Commonwealth funded service provides X-rays and extractions, treatment for acute or pre-existing conditions, treatments for gum disease and referrals to specialist dental services. Since its inception in 2013, the service has provided free dental treatment to more than 15,600 patients at a notional cost of around $8.8 million.

Immunisations Through our Child and Maternal Health program, we administer over 3,000 immunisations a year.

Queensland Section | 2018-2019 13 At a glance - 2018/19 Primary Mental Health Care Health Aeromedical Inter-hospital Tasking Base Consultations* Service Retrievals Transfers Calls Brisbane - - 1 2,233 2,442 Bundaberg - - 2 1,945 4,756 Cairns 32,698 3,124 497 663 975 Charleville 6,761 - 102 531 216 Longreach - 1,742 - - - Mount Isa 10,298 - 447 522 550 Rockhampton - - 11 2,627 5,698 Townsville - - 39 2,039 4,947 Service RFDS Dental Service 2,272 - - - - Outback Mental Health - 1,535 - - - headspace Cairns - 5,514 - - - Total 52,029 11,915 1,099 10,560 19,584

* Primary Health Care consultations also includes Telehealth and immunisations. ** Our Roma Base facilitates a Queensland Government funded obstetrician program for people in .

98,000+ 3,000+ 11,915 1,200 episodes of care immunisations consultations conducted medical chests provided across Queensland administered by RFDS mental health to remote Queensland each year in the past year clinicians in the past year communities by the RFDS

14 The furthest corner. The finest care. Providing excellence in, and access to, primary health care and aeromedical services across Queensland.

11,700+ 26,970 16,640 2,272 patients transferred patients seen by RFDS GP remote consultation consultations per each year via Clinics in Queensland in calls through our year provided by aeromedical services the past 12 months telehealth service RFDS Dental Service

Queensland Section | 2018-2019 15 RFDS Bases How you can help

RFDS Brisbane Base RFDS Mount Isa Base To help meet the costs associated with running a 24 hour 12 Casuarina Street 11 Barkly Highway emergency and comprehensive health care service, the QLD 4008 Mount Isa QLD 4825 RFDS relies on the generosity of individuals, community T 07 3860 1100 T 07 4743 2800 groups, business and the corporate sector as well as funding F 07 3860 1122 F 07 4743 0521 provided by the Commonwealth and State Governments. E [email protected] E [email protected] The money donated to the RFDS helps to: RFDS Bundaberg Base RFDS Rockhampton Base > purchase and medically fit out aircraft Aeromedical Hangar Hangar 5, Aviation Drive develop a range of outback and rural health initiatives Hinkler Airport Rockhampton QLD 4700 > Childers Road T 07 4921 2221 Please donate today: Bundaberg QLD 4670 F 07 4921 2277 > Mail to 12 Casuarina Street, Brisbane Airport QLD 4008 T 07 4131 3000 E [email protected] > Call us on 1300 669 569 F 07 4155 2372 RFDS Roma Base > Visit our website www.flyingdoctor.org.au/qld E [email protected] RFDS Hangar RFDS Cairns Base QLD 4055 Royal Flying Doctor Street T 07 4624 4500 General Aviation F 07 4624 4504 QLD 4870 E [email protected] T 07 4040 0444 RFDS Townsville Base F 07 4040 0199 Hangar 117 E [email protected] Corner Gypsy Moth Court RFDS Charleville Base and Viscount Drive John Flynn Way QLD 4810 Charleville QLD 4470 T 07 4775 3111 T 07 4654 1233 F 07 4775 3511 F 07 4654 1629 E [email protected] E [email protected] RFDS Longreach Base 137 B and C Eagle Street Longreach QLD 4730 T 07 4652 5800 F 07 4652 5899 E [email protected]

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Royal Flying Doctor Service acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of this land.

The furthest corner. The finest care.

ABN: 80 009 663478