QUEENSLAND 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 John Flynn, could see leased Qantas plane in Cloncurry in 1928, the where we are today, he would be RFDS has now been recognised as Australia’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.