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 were you stationed before your move to Mount Isa?

Geebung Metro North! I was stationed here for approximately three years working as an Advanced Care Paramedic II.

Why did you decide to make the move?

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.

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.

Where are you based and for how long?

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.

How does your role differ to your previous role in the big smoke?

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?

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 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.

Jake Graham

What made you decide to try a “dirt change”?

I have spent most of my time working in the Southeast Corner and I think that I was just ready to give something different a try. I had spoken with a few people who had worked in Mount Isa previously and they all loved it.

Where were you stationed previously?

For the 12 months prior to transferring, I was working at Beerwah Station on the Sunshine Coast as an ACP II. Prior to that I had spent most of my time working out of Southport Station on the Gold Coast.

What are some of the main differences between the communities from your previous station and now in the Mount Isa community?

Both the cultural and age demographic is the biggest difference I have found since transferring to Mount Isa. Mount Isa’s reduced geriatric population provides a different type of work experience compared with the coast. Also, poor health literacy and compliance is much more abundant in the Mount Isa community – this can land you with some critically unwell patients.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced that you’d never have faced at your previous stations?

Given the remote location of Mount Isa and the surrounding communities I think the biggest challenge can be the limited resources available.

In your opinion, what are the main benefits you see from taking a change like this?

Many positives have come out of our transfer, to list a few:

Pros: less fatigued, very social between colleagues / police / firies / health care staff, earning lots of points if you are looking to transfer, plenty of relief opportunities, working at higher level opportunities, plenty of study time, lots to explore / camp / events.

What opportunities have you had a chance to make the most of? (Life Flight/flight paramedic accreditation?)

So far, I have had the opportunity for relief work on Mornington Island (the only station I have ever been flown to for work). This was a great experience to work on a remote community island and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the people there. I have also been fortunate enough to start work with LifeFlight working as a Flight ACP. This is by and large the greatest opportunity I have had in my career, and I enjoy the challenges this brings.

Tell us about one of your most interesting cases, and why?

No single case comes to mind that stands out in comparison to down South, but I will keep you posted!