Supporting primary health care within regional Tasmania Annual Report 2013/14 TASMANIA CONTENTS > Highlights 4 Message from the National Chair 7 Message from our President 8 Our community 10 Fred Mckay Medical Student Scholarship Report 14 Robin Miller RFDS Nursing Scholarship 16 John Flynn Dental Assistant Scholarship Report 18 Corporate Governance Statement 20 RFDS Tasmania Board 21 Summary Financial Report 22 In Appreciation 23 OUR MISSION > To provide excellence The Royal Flying Doctor Service was in aeromedical and established in Tasmania in 1960, using single primary health care engine aircraft chartered from Tasmanian across Australia aero clubs. Today, in partnership with Ambulance Tasmania, the RFDS operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides Tasmanians with services which include emergency trauma evacuations and inter- hospital transfers to take patients to the special care they need. COVER: JORDAN DE HOOG, INAUGURAL ROBIN MILLER RFDS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT. 2 ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE | TASMANIA 2013/14 ANNUAL REPORT 3 THE YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS > RFDS Tasmania Primary Health Initiative being developed 2013/14 Dental scholarshp awarded to Sam Simpson Preparations are Medical Scholarship Inter-hospital transfers Robin Miller RFDS Nursing underway for the awarded to Scholarship awarded to construction of two patient transfer 1025 facilities at King and Cate Jordan Flinders Islands Kube de Hoog 2 Dental patients treated RFDS Tasmania Flown around Tasmania and Interstate on Flinders Island continues support of the Menzies Institute 271 ASPREE Study 440, 754 km 4 ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE | TASMANIA 2013/14 ANNUAL REPORT 5 MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL CHAIR The RFDS is the most iconic Australian used to provide regional airports around not-for-profit organisation. Australia’s the state such as Flinders Island and geographic size creates real challenges St Helens with patient transfer shelters for the delivery of health services. The to ensure the safety and comfort of RFDS carries out retrievals and delivers patients in all weather conditions. medical services to many remote and regional communities right across Australia. Equally, plenty of city people Amanda Vanstone can have a health scare or be involved Chair in an accident when they are away from RFDS National Board home. Put simply: we go where others will not. Thanks to your valued contributions, the RFDS will continue to support the Tasmanian community by providing services in addition to aviation into the future. Your generous donations will be The RFDS is the most iconic Australian not-for-profit organisation. Australia’s geographic size creates real challenges for the delivery of health services. 6 ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE | TASMANIA 2013/14 ANNUAL REPORT 7 MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT many who live outside the major centres Primary Health Care and who may otherwise miss out on important health services. The work of the Flying Doctor in aero- medical retrieval and patient transfer is strongly complemented by primary healthcare services across Australia. Infrastructure Winter reminds us that the weather in In Tasmania we have supported dental Tasmania can often be wet and windy. services on Flinders Island for many To support ambulance paramedics and years. However the opportunity and aircrew RFDS Tasmania has provided need to do more to support the health Patient Transfer Shelters at several rural needs of Tasmanians, particularly airports. Constructed in partnership those living in rural Tasmania, has been with local councils, as airport owners, recognised by the Board in setting the first shelter was opened in 2013 future direction. into the 2014/15 financial statements. program, which is linked to the promote the values of the RFDS in at St Helens airport. Another shelter we expected due to a very generous Australian curriculum, has proved very their work everyday. However our In 2013 we asked Dr Kim Webber, followed at Flinders Island and a third bequest. popular with students, teachers and mission would not be possible without who specialises in public health, to will be completed at King Island airport parents. our donors and supporters and we carry out research into areas of need in later in 2014. all thank-you for the faith you put in Tasmania and to talk with Government, Our Donors Supporting the Next RFDS Tasmania also provides the us to apply your gifts to the benefit of practitioners and health groups Generation hangar and Base at Launceston The loyal and ongoing support of many Our Patron Tasmanians. about how the RFDS could support Again in 2013 we provided scholarship Airport. This large facility is home to Tasmanian individuals, social and communities in their healthcare needs opportunities to young Tasmanians It was with sadness that we learnt of the RFDS aircrew and engineering staff, service clubs and workplaces underpins in a similar way that the RFDS provides studying medicine and dental care. A passing of our Patron the Honourable Ambulance Tasmania staff and the the work we do in Tasmania. Money services across mainland states. highlight was the successful introduction Peter Underwood AC, Governor of RFDS Tasmania team. is raised through many and varied of a Nursing scholarship named in Tasmania. Governor Underwood and Dr Webber highlighted dental care initiatives. A long standing supporter All facilities have been constructed with honour of Robin Miller a flying nurse Mrs Underwood were generous in their in rural communities with low socio- on Flinders Island, Gillian Woods, holds Malcolm White the generous support of Tasmanian who operated in outback Western support of the RFDS and in particular economic profiles as having a strong a musical event each November which President donors. In particular I would like to Australia. The scholarship, which hosted a very special evening for our need for support. is strongly supported by our friends supporters at Government House in RFDS Tasmania recognise and thank Brian and Wendy on Flinders. The 20th anniversary provides work experience at the RFDS 2013. Responding to this information, RFDS Faulkner of Launceston who have of Gillian’s Musical Soiree will be Port Augusta Base, is offered to final Tasmania appointed a project officer, Di provided significant financial support for celebrated in November 2014. Another year nursing students at the University In closing I would like to recognise the Murphy, to talk to dentists, communities the patient transfer shelters. group I would like to recognise this year of Tasmania. and the State Government about work of my fellow Board Members. is the Riverside Lions Club who give And for the younger cohort, our Look! practical opportunities for us to assist Working in an honorary capacity, Board generously of time and funds. Up in the Sky program toured a number those in need. Di has worked for members give freely of their time and Organisation of primary schools in the State providing many years in rural health at Circular We thank our honorary ambassador, expertise and I am very proud to have The Royal Flying Doctor Service the opportunity for students to hear Head and knew first hand some of the Nick Duigan who generously gives of been their Chair during the year in operates in Tasmania through the work the story of John Flynn and to explore reasons why people are not able to see his time to represent the interests of review. We have a small and committed of a volunteer Board and a small group the aircraft simulator. This educational a dentist regularly. the RFDS and David Foster OAM who group of staff who, without exception, of committed staff. kindly visited the Base to meet with our This led to a pilot program at a school Over the last year the scale and scope supporters in November. in Southern Tasmania conducted of work of the Section has increased collaboratively with Oral Health Services as has the level of financial support. In Tasmania (part of the Department of view of this the Board, at its strategy Stan Merrett Foundation Health). Students at the school were day in May, took the significant and provided with screening, and where A long term member of the RFDS, Stan exciting step of agreeing to the The Royal Flying Doctor Service operates indicated, fluoride varnishing, fissure Merrett of George Town, passed away employment of a CEO. sealant and referrals where required. late in 2013. Stan saw fit to support in Tasmania through the work of a The children also took home an RFDS This is an investment in our capability the work of the RFDS in Tasmania into ‘pack’ including information on dental and will allow us to do the things the future through a significant bequest. volunteer Board and a small group of hygiene. that are important to the way RFDS The Stan Merrett Foundation will serves Tasmania including enhanced provide a financial platform that will be I believe this type of work will become committed staff. primary healthcare services. As is used prudently to grow the capability of an important part of RFDS Tasmania’s mentioned further on in my report, this the Section and the services it provides. future role which will be to the benefit of step has become a reality sooner than The Foundation funds will be brought 8 ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE | TASMANIA 2013/14 ANNUAL REPORT 9 OUR COMMUNITY David Foster OAM visits the Flying Doctor A morning tea was held at the Jan and David Foster OAM Launceston Base to thank the local Inspirational fundraiser community for their ongoing support of Angus Henty takes a look over the RFDS Students from Devonport Christian School Michaella McLeod receives the RFDS the Service. At just 10 years of age, Michaella aircraft cockpit enjoying the aeromedical simulator certificate with Mum, Sally McLeod made a special donation to Over 80 supporters attended the RFDS Tasmania to support the vital for the employment of a highly skilled morning tea to hear World Champion work of the Service.