Taking the dirt change In 2021, Natalie Van de Baan and Jake Graham packed up their lives in Southeast Queensland and made the move to Mount Isa. A year on, their move a year ago, life has been anything but normal. Natalie Van de Baan
Where are you based and for how long?
Where were you stationed before your move to Mount Isa?
We are based out of Mount Isa Ambulance Station where we signed up for a 12-month term transfer and we have just extended for another year. I was not ready to leave.
Geebung Metro North! I was stationed here for approximately three years working as an Advanced Care Paramedic II.
How does your role differ to your previous role in the big smoke?
Why did you decide to make the move?
18
I always found the idea of working in a rural/remote location appealing. I really enjoy single officer work as it allows for you to become a more independent clinician having to think outside the box and consider the broader picture all whilst working in some of the most remote communities in Queensland. I also enjoy the outdoors and I wanted to live somewhere that provides the opportunity to see the Great Outback in all its glory – exactly what Northwest Queensland can provide!
How long did it take and what was the process to make the move, and was it difficult? From when we decided that we wanted to work in the Northwest LASN to when we officially relocated, it was 12 months. The move was very simple for us – we just packed our belongings into removalist truck where it was driven the 1728km to Mount Isa. It was all very easy.
Community engagement is notably the biggest difference. In smaller and more remote places, the community’s perception is firmly based on interactions with you, thus reflecting the Queensland Ambulance Service, so it was very important to always uphold the best representation of who we are and what we can provide as a health care service. There are also significant clinical diagnoses and medical conditions unique to rural health. While our objective remains the same irrespective of where you work in the state, the logistics in the rural setting become an added complexity. For example, treating someone with a badly fractured arm when you are more than 100km from the nearest hospital, it becomes quite challenging when you’re faced with rocky terrain, confined to transporting your patient in a troop carrier and not to mention the heat in Summer.
What have been some of the more unusual cases you’ve experienced?
What does your average workday look like? Like anywhere, every day is different. I have had the opportunity to relieve at various Ambulance Stations in the Northwest that all come with their own unique experiences. No matter where you go, one thing is always guaranteed – the sunsets are always impressive.
There isn’t anything that stands out – I think for paramedics this would be the most frequent answer. If I think of anything I shall let you know!
What have some of your learnings been? Those who live in rural communities and discovering how high their threshold is
Autumn 2022
regarding pain or sickness has been quite the learning curve. I remember transferring a man to Hospital whom RFDS had retrieved from Tennant Creek in the NT after he had approached them while they were attending to another patient. He had a badly infected wound to his toe for the past three months where the infection had reached the bone. I asked him why he had left the wound untreated for so long and his response was, “other than the smell, it just didn’t bother me”.
You’re learning to be a flight paramedic, how has that come about? We were recently appointed to the role of Flight Paramedics working with Life Flight – such a cool experience! The training has taken up to 12 months to complete, but we are finally finished and now flying. This has been a very humbling opportunity that I am very grateful for. Yet another reason why opting for the change of rural life has been great!
Looking back, what are the pros and cons of making a move like this, would you do it again? Would I do this again? Absolutely! Pros: I have met some of the most amazing people, have had some incredible clinical experiences particularly whilst working as a single officer, living in a remote place is a great way to save money, working and attending rodeos out here is the best fun you will ever have, an easy way to earn points and it is a very laid-back lifestyle. Cons: I miss good coffee, Grill’d burgers, sushi and the beach. Also, summer out here is hot, like really hot.
Anything else you’d like to add? If you are thinking about doing a term transfer to part take in rural/remote work, then do it! You won’t look back.
