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T E E S R N W 20 The AUTUMN A 20 A U I S L Flying T R A Doctor The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Photo: Sarah Makse, Esperance Express In this issue 02 CEO’s Message 04 COVID-19 Appeal – Response Ready for WA 05 Third Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet to join our fleet 06 2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife 06 Midwifery scholarship: inaugural winner 07 Savannah’s indomitable spirit lives on 08 RFDS Heroes 10 Thank You 14 Updates & News 16 Thank You to our Partners CEO’s Message Our Flying Doctor Our response has been swift and collaborative. As a crews on the frontline responder, we have a seat at the table of the State’s emergency response coordination team and we frontline of our are collaborating as a key ally in WA’s health response. 24-hour aeromedical emergency service RFDS WO has an integrated fleet of 16 PC-12 turbo props and two Rio Tinto Lifeflight PC-24 jets which have continue to work revolutionised the way we can coordinate our resources through these across the largest health jurisdiction in the world. unprecedented times. Our logisticians in our Coordination Centre are a pivotal he Royal Flying resource in coordinating and mobilising emergency service Doctor Service has responses in collaboration with our health network partners. been a trusted and quintessential Australian partner in Western We have five strategically located bases across TAustralia for more than 90 years. Western Australia ensuring a far-reaching geographical impact and prompt aeromedical response. We are there to help a mate when they need us the most - and that time is now, in the coming weeks We employ our own specialist emergency doctors, and the many months ahead. flight nurses, pilots, avionics engineers and logisticians We are actively helping every day to ensure the highest level of professional care. in many different ways. We have more than 500 Medical Chests strategically L F L Y located around the regions – stocked with important Y A I N pharmaceuticals to treat and stabilise patients. O G R We have access and experience in servicing 784 D landing strips in regional WA. E O 90 YEARS C C I V T O R R S E Each of our aircraft are intensive care units in the sky and fully equipped with ventilators, monitors and innovative, purpose-built aeromedical equipment. 02 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service We have suspended visitors, tours We are all in this together and The response to, and recovery and events at all of our bases for the please be assured that the Flying from, COVID-19 will be a critical, foreseeable future. We apologise Doctor is doing our part for ongoing team effort. We are if this has inconvenienced you and Western Australia. recruiting more doctors, nurses, we look forward to a time in the As we respond to this pandemic, pilots and support team to future when we can welcome you we reflect on the privilege we keep our teams response ready again to our base. hold at the RFDS, in being able throughout the pandemic. We have introduced working from to serve the Western Australian home arrangements for those community at this time when We routinely treat patients with staff able to conduct their work they need us the most. infectious diseases and we have remotely. We ask for your patience Warmest regards, effective and excellent infection if this means that your donation control protocols and experience. may take a few extra days to be Our Infection Control, Personal processed or your call answered. Protective Equipment (PPE) and As an advocate for health equity and aircraft cleaning/decontamination community health care, I strongly protocols are leading the way in encourage you to take heed of the aeromedical retrievals. The health Rebecca Tomkinson public health advice to ensure hand and safety of our patients and staff Chief Executive Officer hygiene, social distancing, cough are at the forefront of our operations. Royal Flying Doctor Service, etiquette and to stay home and Western Australia As we pivot our focus to the most avoid unnecessary outings. These pressing issues as they evolve each are simple measures to contain day, we have made many decisions the spread of the virus and they in recent weeks which may affect really do make a difference. you as one of our valued supporters. Strategic Direction 2020 and Beyond RFDS WO has a strategic We have made a promise to remote and regional Western Australians to: mission to provide • continue providing our clinical care where it is needed excellence in aeromedical • advocate for the needs of communities and primary health care. • strive to promote health equity and • work with partners to strengthen the health system. Priorities Enablers Emergency healthcare Healthy people & culture Community healthcare Adaptive service models Building capacity Partnerships & capability & relationships Health equity Resource & advocacy sustainability The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service 03 COVID-19 Appeal Response Ready for WA The RFDS is response Your support will enable: ready with our specialist care, Frontline People aeromedical equipment • Surge capacity pandemic response for the immediate needs of and deep experience COVID-19 across Western Australia. in infection control • The ability to immediately bolster our frontline service with extra and serving regional doctors, nurses, pilots and avionic engineers. Western Australia. We stand ready to support the Critical Capital Western Australian community throughout COVID-19 and beyond. • Response ready, sustainable and robust capital to serve the regional communities of Western Australia during unprecedented times. The response to, and recovery from, COVID-19 will be a critical, • Aircraft and adaptable service platforms which are embedded within ongoing team effort and we RFDS WO and the WA health infrastructure in a sustainable capacity are calling on all sectors of the at all times. community to support us. We acknowledge the support of the corporate sector - Rio Tinto, BHP, Operational Needs Chevron, FMG and members of the • Recovery and rebuilding capacity to support Western Australia Chamber of Minerals and Energy in the long term. - as we work with government to respond on and serve the Western • Tools, equipment and consumable supplies for on-the-ground Australian community at this time emergency response into the long term. when they need us the most. You can donate to the Response Ready for WA Appeal at www.rfdswa.com.au or send your donation using the enclosed form. Thank you! 04 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Third Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet to join our fleet We are delighted to announce a six year, Tomkinson We also recently celebrated $15 million partnership extension with our long the first birthday of our standing and highly valued corporate partner Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 Rio Tinto which will see the outright purchase jets Victory and Kimberley. of a third Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet. 1,247 ue to arrive in 2022, people who live, work or travel patients transported the third jet will further across our vast state have access boost patient response to the world’s most advanced and Dtimes and continue to innovative aeromedical capability.” revolutionise our operations. Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Minister for patient outcomes The two Rio Tinto LifeFlight jets that Health thanked Rio Tinto for the have been in service for a year have significant investment which will 2,534 transported over 1,000 patients improve the delivery of healthcare hours flown across more than 1.2 million for people in regional and remote kilometres. Rio Tinto provided Western Australia. $10 million towards their purchase. “The RFDS provides an absolutely Royal Flying Doctor Service essential service and by funding a direct long haul flights Western Operations Chief third PC-24 jet Rio Tinto are helping Executive Officer Rebecca them further transform their service, Tomkinson thanked Rio Tinto for expand operations and ultimately 1,337,359 its continued generous support. save lives,” Minister Cook said. km travelled ”Rio Tinto’s purchase of a third jet will strengthen and expand our aircraft assets for the future, so we can continue our work as a vital link in the health network of our state,” Rebecca said. “The successful integration of two Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets into our fleet over the past year has already put time on our side to save lives, and we anticipate the arrival of a third jet will continue to revolutionise the way our 24-hour aeromedical emergency service is coordinated across the state.” Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Chris Salisbury added: “We are Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations Chief Executive proud to support the RFDS in Officer Rebecca Tomkinson with Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Minister for its wonderful efforts to ensure Health and Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Chris Salisbury. The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service 05 2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife The World Health Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services for organisations such as ours. Across Organisation has our five bases in Jandakot, Kalgoorlie, Meekatharra, designated 2020 Port Hedland and Broome, the RFDS has approximately the International 50 highly trained nurses who are all qualified midwives. This year, these ‘Angels of the sky’ and on the ground Year of the Nurse will be in a well-earned spotlight. and Midwife. Midwifery scholarship: Congratulations to Flight inaugural winner Nurse Jeannette Spark who is a finalist in the 2020 WA Nursing and Midwifery estern Australian Western Australia for nearly Excellence Awards for her nurse Alise Tilbury nine years, was presented the Excellence in Education has been announced scholarship by Savanna’s mum and and Research.