OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE WESTERN AUSTRALIA SPRING 2021
going the distance
Flying into the future It was exactly 12 months ago that I wrote to you about 2019-20 – our ‘busiest year’ on record. It’s hard to believe it could have got any busier for our team, but the 2020-21 year trumped the previous one to become our busiest year ever!
In this edition 3 A flying start for a new baby 4 RFDS rolls up for WA 6 Engineering ingenuity 7 Meet the team behind the RFDS 8 Your impact this Flying Doctor Day 10 Improving our capability for the next century 12 In safe hands 14 Recipes from our family to yours 15 Support your Flying Doctor Cover photo: RFDS Dr Leesa Equid (left), Pilot Cornelius Mitchley (centre) and Flight Nurse Rachael Dawe (right) at RFDS’ Jandakot base. Photo captured by Jason Thomas. Acknowledgements: Thank you to the patients, RFDS employees and members of our community for the photographs and stories in this publication.
We went to the aid of more than 10,000 patients, saw more than 15,000 patients at our primary health care clinics and transported dozens of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. This would not have been possible without your ongoing support. As well as being our busiest 12 months on record, the past year also threw some extra challenges our way. COVID-19 lockdowns, the ongoing recovery following a fire at our Broome base, and pivoting our service to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations to some of WA’s most isolated communities. The RFDS team is dedicated to continuing to meet the health needs of everyone who lives, works and travels across Western Australia. To do this, we work hard to innovate, be agile and remain at the forefront of new technology.
2020-21: Our busiest year on record
10,097
patients cared for
9 million kilometres flown
16,000+ landings
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Patient retrievals by region
As we approach the 18-month mark since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Australian shores, I’m pleased to share that our dedicated team of vaccination nurses have administered nearly 2,500 vaccinations to some of the most remote communities in the State. Collaboration is key when working on Country and we couldn’t do this without the support of our partners - the Federal Government, Western Australian Country Health Service, local Aboriginal Medical Services and the wider Western Australian community. Thank you for supporting us. I hope you enjoy our latest edition of Your Flying Doctor Magazine. Best wishes
Rebecca Tomkinson Chief Executive Officer Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
Our aeromedical fleet Kimberley 2,168
Pilbara 1,917 Midwest 1,882
In an Australian first for WA’s Flying Doctor, I am excited to see our fleet expand further to include two EC145 helicopters. The helicopters demonstrate our commitment to continuing to put patient care at the centre of everything we do.
Goldfields Wheatbelt 1,714 Perth metro 813 144 South West Great Southern 545 894
16
Pilatus PC-12 Flying Intensive Care Units
3
Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets
2
EC145 Helicopters
A flying start for a new baby ”It had been a wild few days. We were off the grid on our babymoon in WA’s South West when little Laiken decided he wanted to meet the world a few weeks early,” Scott Crowdy recalled.
checked to see how far along I was and monitored me throughout the flight. The RFDS team made me feel so comfortable and talked me through labour, breathing and reminded me to relax my abdomen,” Annalise remembered.
Avid travellers, Scott and his wife Annalise were soaking up the final days before the birth of their first child in Pemberton when Annalise’s abdominal aches and pains led them to the local hospital.
Flight Nurse Fiona Yard and Doctor Koert Jan Schonewille stayed with Annalise after the flight and travelled in the ambulance to the hospital to ensure she continued to receive the best care.
Soon after arriving at Manjimup Hospital, the doctor turned to Scott and said, ‘it looks like we’re having a baby today!’ Still five weeks from Annalise’s due date and with the risk of complications, the safest option was to call on the RFDS to transport Annalise to King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth. “From the moment I hit the runway, the medical crew onboard
For a first-time mum I felt so supported and calm by the team’s presence. I sincerely appreciate and am grateful for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Annalise Crowdy said.
Annalise was taken straight to the labour ward where she had an emergency caesarean. Dad Scott raced to the hospital while Annalise was inflight and arrived just after Laiken was born. He was able to be by Laiken’s side while he was receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “I never thought I would need the assistance of the RFDS. I am so humbled by the outstanding
There when you need us
support the service provides the community and am so thankful you were able to get me to the hospital in time for our son to get the care he needed immediately after birth.” Annalise said. Today, Laiken is a tough little baby, growing stronger each day. He embarked on his first holiday down south when he was six weeks old. The young family are looking forward to the many adventures and milestones that lay ahead with their precious baby boy. “We will forever be grateful to the RFDS.”
It doesn’t matter where you are in Western Australia – the Flying Doctor is there to help in a time-critical emergency. With your support, you’re helping us to get there faster. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring 3
RFDS rolls up for WA For more than 90 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has helped people living in rural and remote Western Australia overcome the tyranny of distance to access essential healthcare. Today, we continue to deliver on that promise, in our response and recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic. We celebrate the courage and resilience of our frontline crews who, since the outbreak, have safely retrieved 131 suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, helicoptered onto ships to
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conduct COVID-19 testing and transported essential health workers, equipment and pathology samples across WA. In May this year, the RFDS marked an historical milestone by answering the call from the Federal Government to provide vaccination clinics in WA’s vast and remote regions. Coordinating our remote vaccination program to ensure we reach people living in the furthest corners of Western Australia is no easy feat and is a true team effort.
The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
We are proud to share with you stories from our people who continue to adapt and find creative solutions to ensure all Western Australians, no matter where they live, have access to the vaccines and can #rollupforwa. So far, our COVID-19 vaccination team has travelled thousands of kilometres by air and road to reach people living in the Goldfields, Pilbara, Kimberley and Midwest regions to provide first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. When visiting and working in Aboriginal communities, our clinicians work with local
Collaboration is key for remote clinics.
I was hesitant at first but I thought given how much we interact with tourists and travellers, it’s best to stay safe and to move forward Scott Lotona, Border Village Roadhouse Manager.
health services to seek the advice and permission of Elders to develop trust and strong relationships with our patients. With their help, our people are warmly welcomed by community members. Thank you for your support as we continue our efforts to protect and ensure Western Australians living across the world’s largest and most remote health jurisdiction can be vaccinated.
Remote vaccines
I came to get my vaccine today because one of my sisters is actually pregnant and working as a quarantine officer puts me at increased risk Amanda Ellison, Eucla resident.
Our dedicated COVID-19 vaccination team are rolling up to some of the State’s most isolated communities. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
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Engineering ingenuity How do you keep the vaccines cold once you turn off the aircraft and there’s no power supply? This was a challenge the RFDS’ engineering team in Perth could not resist taking on.
In delivering COVID-19 vaccines to remote and regional WA, RFDS crews travel long distances by air and road. To ensure the success of the RFDS’ remote program, vaccines must be kept consistently at -70°C or below.
temperature portable freezer, a battery box fitted with an aircraft gel battery and a battery charger. “We found a very simple and safe solution to keep the vaccines cold throughout the flight and on the ground during clinics.” Andy said. Another ingenious solution was found by Mike Chadwick, RFDS WA Senior Engineer to safeguard vaccine vials against aircraft vibrations. Custom built holders were fabricated by Mike and his team to prevent shaking and to avoid the precious vials from bumping against each other.
RFDS WA Engineering Manager Andy Lewis had a brain wave involving a specialised, very low
These two examples really highlight that the simplest solutions are often the best.
Propel us forward
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The RFDSWA engineering team plays an important role in keeping the Flying Doctor flying. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
Meet the team behind the RFDS Robin Emmett understands RFDS operations like the back of his hand. Having served as a logistician at the service’s 24-hour Statewide Coordination Centre for 33 years, Robin is set to retire from the RFDS later this year and you know he has some stories to share! The Coordination Centre is often referred to as the place where “the magic happens” - and for good reason. It’s where more than 50,000 calls for help are triaged each year and where aircraft and crews are tasked to respond to emergencies to ensure our patients reach definitive care in the shortest possible timeframe. Robin likens the role to playing three-dimensional chess with people-skills, problem-solving, resilience and teamwork a few of the keys to success. Over the past 30 years, he has witnessed the RFDS undergo massive transformation to expand its service delivery. Supported by advancements in aircraft technology and communications, this includes the establishment of a centralised Coordination Centre, a
standardised aircraft fleet and the introduction of new services to benefit Western Australians. Within the last 18 months, Robin’s wide skillset and adaptability have seen him wear several different hats. He has filled in as Regional Operations Centre Manager and when COVID-19 began, he took up the role of RFDS Liaison Officer at the State Health Incident Coordination Centre. Since April this year, Robin’s focus has turned to leading the coordination of our COVID-19 remote vaccination program across WA’s vast regions. “I’m proud to bring the skills and knowledge I’ve gained over the past 30 years to this worthwhile project,” Robin said. “It’s a nice way to see the end of my 33 years with the RFDS.” Robin said a memorable retrieval he helped coordinate involved the lengthening of a remote airstrip by lining up the head lights of vehicles to offer our chief pilot safe passage to land and extract a patient from a station north east of Geraldton. That day, Robin remembers feeling like luck was on his side as he navigated the retrieval of the patient who was suffering injuries due to a motor vehicle accident. Robin recalls discovering that crews undertaking road works for the local shire were camping close by. He was able to get in touch with them to ask them to help light the airstrip with their vehicles.
I walked out of the office after my shift and thought to myself, “Wow, that was cool”. That’s what the Royal Flying Doctor Service is all about – doing everything we can with what we’ve got to be there for our patients.
“The experiences I’ve had while working with the RFDS have really highlighted how people can be so giving and compassionate. It never fails to make me proud to be a Western Australian.” Armed with a mischievous grin and a determined stride, Robin will be greatly missed when he retires.
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Your impact this Flying Doctor Day Your support helps prepare our frontline crews for whatever situation they may face. We were humbled by the support from Western Australians on Flying Doctor Day in May. As we celebrated the 93rd anniversary of the first RFDS flight, we called on the WA community to help keep us flying into the future. Thanks to the support of people like you, Flying Doctor Day raised more than $620,000, far exceeding our original target of $500,000. The funds raised will be used to conduct clinical simulation training for RFDS medical crews, invest in leading technology to improve patient outcomes and purchase vital equipment to help the RFDS continue to save lives.
With your support, our crews can conduct clinical training that mimics complex patient scenarios they may encounter in real life operations. When our crews respond to an emergency, the situation can escalate quickly. Training helps ensure our staff know each procedure and where equipment is located in our aircraft, allowing our crews to focus on the patient’s needs. No matter what emergencies our staff face, they can have the confidence to do everything required to help our patients. Your donations also helped purchase high-tech equipment for the RFDS, the iSimulate REALITi system. This equipment is vital for conducting ongoing high-fidelity simulation training for our aeromedical doctors and flight nurses. The technology mimics a patient monitor displaying various vital
The incredible generosity of the WA community is already helping our clinical education team carry out critical training for our crews. While our flight nurses and doctors are highly trained clinicians, they work in extremely challenging environments. The Flying Doctor crews provide critical care to patients in small teams, requiring our clinicians to be highly trained and intimately familiar with our equipment and procedures. Thank you to our Matched Giving Partners for doubling donations this Flying Doctor Day.
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The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
signs like heart and respiratory rates in a format identical to the equipment used by RFDS crews in real-life situations. The REALITi system also mimics defibrillators and ventilators we use to safely transport our highest priority patients. There is no such thing as a standard day at the RFDS. The funds raised on Flying Doctor Day help our crews provide the highest quality clinical care and ensure the best possible outcome for our patients. Even our most experienced staff frequently find themselves in new and demanding situations that are made easier through training. “On behalf of everyone in the Clinical Education team, thank you for your generosity on Flying Doctor Day.” Dr Andy Hooper, Head of Clinical Education said. Your support truly helps save lives.
How we celebrated Street Appeal Thank you to the amazing volunteers who helped at our first Perth Street Appeal. With the help of former patients, RFDS staff, Rotarians, community and corporate volunteers, we sold our new Australian made Flying Doctor Socks in Perth City and raised awareness for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It was great seeing everyone rocking their new Flying Doctor Socks – even WA Premier Mark McGowan.
“The Friends of the RFDS proudly celebrated 93 years of the Flying Doctor and will continue our endeavours to keep the iconic Flying Doctor in the air. Jenny Matthews President of Friends of the RFDS – Flying Doctor Day Champions.
Paper Plane Challenge Across the State, schools and businesses celebrated Flying Doctor Day with a Paper Plane Challenge, raising vital funds while testing their skills and determining who was the best pilot. Congratulations to Flying Doctor Day Champions Westgold Resources Limited, who raised the most with their Paper Plane Challenge. Westgold held a Paper Plane Challenge at each of their mine sites and at head office.
Unique Fundraisers
On behalf of our crews and patients across Western Australia, thank you to everyone who took part in our inaugural Paper Plane Challenge.
As we celebrated Flying Doctor Day with the Australian community, we loved seeing the unique ways people supported us. Goldfields company Topdrill hosted a Flying Doc Drilla-Thon, with every metre drilled during the 24-hour event resulting in a donation to the WA Flying Doctor. Thank you to everyone in the community who helped fly us further with their own ideas to celebrate Flying Doctor Day.
Thank you RFDS. Today I am able to celebrate my daughter Nikita’s birthday - because you were there when we needed you. Rob Thomas, RFDS donor.
Thank you to everyone who celebrated our 93rd anniversary and helped raise much needed funds to keep us flying into the future. We are so grateful to everyone who gave to our Giving Day – we loved reading your messages of support! Contact us about how you can get involved in Flying Doctor Day in 2022 by emailing fundraise@rfdswa.com.au
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Improving our capability for the next century In an Australian first for the Flying Doctor, two helicopters will join our fleet at the end of 2021. The innovation will be the RFDS’ first dedicated aeromedical helicopter service and crewed by RFDS’ experienced and trusted team of specialist pilots, doctors and flight nurses. This exciting expansion of our service will provide RFDS crews with greater flexibility to deploy the best aircraft type to meet the needs of each patient’s individual circumstances. “We are absolutely committed to our century-old promise to
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improve health equity for all Western Australians, regardless of where they live or work,” RFDS Western Operations CEO Rebecca Tomkinson said. The introduction of helicopters delivers on the commitments made in our 2020 Strategic Direction: The Next Century to remain the State’s most trusted patient retrieval service and keep improving health equity for everyone in regional WA. The EC145 helicopters will complement our existing fleet of 16 PC-12 turboprop and three Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets. Each aircraft type brings
The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
unique strengths and capability. The helicopters will be used for door-to-door aeromedical retrievals from regional hospitals to specialist care at Perth’s major tertiary hospitals. The assets provide us with greater capacity to assist the State when it needs us most.
This is an essential step forward if the RFDS is to meet the increasingly diverse health needs in regional, remote and very remote communities. We are excited to take this next step in our journey to support people living in regional Western Australia Rebecca said.
EC145 Helicopter
Rio Tinto PC-24 LifeFlight Jet
PC-12 Turboprop
Number in fleet:
2
3
16
Average patient capacity:
1
3
2
Crew:
Single Pilot Doctor Flight Nurse
Single Pilot Doctor Flight Nurse
Single Pilot Doctor Flight Nurse
Operational range:
530 kms
2,500 kms
1,600 kms
Cruising speed:
220 kms per hour
780 kms per hour
480 kms per hour
Unique capabilities:
Door-to-door between High speed, hospitals. Able to long range. reach difficult locations.
Able to land on short and challenging airstrips.
Inter-hospital transfers.
Mine site, remote airstrips and primary evacuations. Remote community clinics.
Typical missions:
Going the distance
Long distance patient transfers (e.g. Broome to Perth).
Donate today to help provide the vital medical equipment needed to maintain our fleet. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
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In safe hands New South Wales boy Jackson Bartlett, 10, was snorkeling off Coral Bay in WA’s North West with his dad in June when he noticed a large shadow moving fast towards him.
quickly dragged him back to shore while calling out for help. As luck would have it, holidaying doctors and a local tour guide were on scene and were able to get Jackson into an ambulance. The deep wound stretching from ankle to toe required Jackson to undergo surgery. With the closest major hospital located
To his horror, the shadow making a beeline for him was a two-metre bronze whaler shark. Jackson was swimming 75 metres from the shore at Five Fingers Reef, when he was forced to face off with the shark. Jackson remembers mustering up as much courage as he could but the shark, more than twice his size, ultimately prevailed by biting deep into his right flipper. “I thought I was going to die because it was really scary,” Jackson said. With a bleeding wound and feeling very frightened, Jackson was able to alert his dad who
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The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
1,120km away in Perth, the Royal Flying Doctor Service was tasked to respond. All RFDS aircraft are equipped with aeromedical equipment and supplies and are staffed with pilots, emergency doctors and flight nurses who are highly trained to react and respond to trauma incidents.
Thanks to all the people who were helping me. Jackson. Parents Blake and Rachael Bartlett said when the RFDS landed in Coral Bay to retrieve Jackson, there was relief knowing their son would be in safe hands during the journey to Perth. On the way, RFDS crews were able to monitor Jackson’s condition and manage his pain. Naturally, his encounter sparked national media interest and RFDS crews were thoroughly amused to hear him report on TV: “I liked going on the plane. When I was in the Royal Flying Doctor plane, I had a lot of snacks. I liked looking out the window and going through the clouds when we were higher.” After being discharged from Perth Children’s Hospital, Jackson and his family visited the RFDS Jandakot base to express their gratitude and enjoy some behind-the-scenes action. Jackson, his parents, two brothers and grandmother were delighted to meet with crews while touring the aircraft hangars and the Statewide Coordination Centre where patients like himself are triaged, and aircraft and crews tasked.
The RFDS is a free service
Patient Jackson Bartlett scored the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet!
Your donations help us be there for unexpected emergencies. With your support, patients like Jackson can be in the safe hands of the Flying Doctor when it matters most. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
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Recipes from our family to yours Please enjoy these delicious recipes from our team at Jandakot.
Artichoke dip Ingredients
Method
1 tin of artichokes, chopped into small dice
Sauté the onion and garlic in a little oil until soft. Remove from heat and add chopped artichokes, parmesan cheese and mayonnaise. Place into an oven proof dish. Bake in the oven at about 160°C until warmed through and slightly browned on top. Serve with bread cut into chunks.
2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 onion, chopped 1 cup parmesan cheese 1 cup egg mayonnaise
Lolly cake Ingredients
Method
120g butter, melted
Melt the butter and condensed milk together in a large microwave safe bowl. Add crushed biscuits to the mixture. Add the chopped lollies or chocolates and mix well. Once combined, place on a clean surface and form two log shaped cakes using your hands to tightly pack together. Cover logs well in coconut and wrap in cling film and chill for at least one hour. When ready to serve, cut into two-centimetre-thick slices.
160g sweetened condensed milk 250g malt biscuits, crushed 150g clinker chocolates or fruit puff lollies, chopped ½ cup desiccated coconut
HOT TIP!
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We recommend using Griffin’s Malt Biscuits from our friends in New Zealand. Available in the International food aisle of your local supermarket.
The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
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Other ways to support our work
Make a secure donation online at rfdswa.com.au/ spring
Give through your Workplace Giving Program
Make a bequest and join the Robin Miller Society
Join our crew of regular givers
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Contact
@RFDSWA
@rfds_wa
@royalflyingdoc_wa
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Contact the Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Australia at giving@rfdswa.com.au or (08) 9417 6400 15
Acknowledgement of Country The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia respects and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Country on which we work, live and fly. We acknowledge your continuing connection to the lands, seas and skies of Western Australia.
Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations) 3 Eagle Drive Jandakot WA 6164 T: (08) 9417 6400 E: giving@rfdswa.com.au Emergency: 1800 625 800 rfdswa.com.au
