Going the distance - OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE WESTERN AUSTRALIA
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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 In an Australian first for WA’s Flying
I wrote to you about 2019-20 – Doctor, I am excited to see our
our ‘busiest year’ on record. It’s fleet expand further to include two
hard to believe it could have EC145 helicopters. The helicopters
got any busier for our team, demonstrate our commitment to
but the 2020-21 year continuing to put patient care at
trumped the previous the centre of everything we do.
one to become our
As we approach the 18-month
busiest year ever!
mark since the COVID-19 pandemic
We went to the aid of more reached Australian shores, I’m
than 10,000 patients, saw pleased to share that our dedicated
more than 15,000 patients at team of vaccination nurses
our primary health care clinics and have administered nearly 2,500
transported dozens of suspected vaccinations to some of the most
In this edition
or confirmed COVID-19 patients. remote communities in the State.
3 A flying start for a new baby This would not have been possible
Collaboration is key when working
4 RFDS rolls up for WA without your ongoing support.
on Country and we couldn’t do
6 Engineering ingenuity As well as being our busiest 12 this without the support of our
7 Meet the team behind the RFDS months on record, the past year partners - the Federal Government,
also threw some extra challenges Western Australian Country Health
8 Your impact this Flying
our way. COVID-19 lockdowns, Service, local Aboriginal Medical
Doctor Day
the ongoing recovery following Services and the wider Western
10 Improving our capability a fire at our Broome base, and Australian community.
for the next century pivoting our service to deliver
Thank you for supporting us.
12 In safe hands COVID-19 vaccinations to some of
I hope you enjoy our latest edition
14 Recipes from our family to yours WA’s most isolated communities.
of Your Flying Doctor Magazine.
15 Support your Flying Doctor The RFDS team is dedicated to
Best wishes
continuing to meet the health
Cover photo: RFDS Dr Leesa Equid needs of everyone who lives, works
(left), Pilot Cornelius Mitchley (centre) and travels across Western Australia.
and Flight Nurse Rachael Dawe (right) To do this, we work hard to
at RFDS’ Jandakot base. Photo captured innovate, be agile and remain at
by Jason Thomas. Rebecca Tomkinson
the forefront of new technology.
Acknowledgements: Thank you Chief Executive Officer
to the patients, RFDS employees
Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
and members of our community for
the photographs and stories in this
publication.
2020-21: Our busiest year on record Our aeromedical fleet
10,097
patients cared for
Patient retrievals
by region
Pilbara
Kimberley
2,168
16 Pilatus PC-12 Flying
Intensive Care Units
1,917
9 million
kilometres flown
Midwest
1,882
Goldfields 3 Rio Tinto LifeFlight
PC-24 jets
Wheatbelt 1,714
Perth metro 813
16,000+
landings
144
South West Great Southern
545 894
2 EC145 Helicopters
2
A flying start
for a new baby
”It had been a wild few checked to see how far along I
days. We were off the was and monitored me throughout
grid on our babymoon the flight. The RFDS team made
in WA’s South West when little me feel so comfortable and talked
Laiken decided he wanted to me through labour, breathing
meet the world a few weeks early,” and reminded me to relax my
Scott Crowdy recalled. abdomen,” Annalise remembered.
Avid travellers, Scott and his wife Flight Nurse Fiona Yard and
Annalise were soaking up the final Doctor Koert Jan Schonewille
days before the birth of their first stayed with Annalise after the flight
child in Pemberton when Annalise’s and travelled in the ambulance
abdominal aches and pains led to the hospital to ensure she
them to the local hospital. 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!’ For a first-time mum I
Still five weeks from Annalise’s felt so supported and
due date and with the risk of
complications, the safest option
calm by the team’s
was to call on the RFDS to presence. I sincerely
transport Annalise to King Edward appreciate and am
Memorial Hospital in Perth.
grateful for the Royal
“From the moment I hit the Flying Doctor Service support the service provides the
runway, the medical crew onboard community and am so thankful
Annalise Crowdy said.
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.
Annalise was taken straight to
the labour ward where she had Today, Laiken is a tough little baby,
an emergency caesarean. growing stronger each day. He
embarked on his first holiday down
Dad Scott raced to the hospital
south when he was six weeks
while Annalise was inflight and
old. The young family are looking
arrived just after Laiken was born.
forward to the many adventures
He was able to be by Laiken’s side
and milestones that lay ahead with
while he was receiving care in the
their precious baby boy.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“We will forever be grateful to
“I never thought I would need
the RFDS.”
the assistance of the RFDS. I am
so humbled by the outstanding
It doesn’t matter where you are in Western Australia – the Flying Doctor
There when is there to help in a time-critical emergency. With your support, you’re
you need us helping us to get there faster. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
3
RFDS rolls up for WA
For more than 90 years, conduct COVID-19 testing We are proud to share with you
the Royal Flying Doctor and transported essential stories from our people who
Service has helped health workers, equipment and continue to adapt and find creative
people living in rural and remote pathology samples across WA. solutions to ensure all Western
Western Australia overcome the Australians, no matter where they
In May this year, the RFDS
tyranny of distance to access live, have access to the vaccines
marked an historical milestone
essential healthcare. and can #rollupforwa.
by answering the call from the
Today, we continue to deliver Federal Government to provide So far, our COVID-19 vaccination
on that promise, in our response vaccination clinics in WA’s vast team has travelled thousands of
and recovery to the COVID-19 and remote regions. kilometres by air and road to reach
pandemic. people living in the Goldfields,
Coordinating our remote
Pilbara, Kimberley and Midwest
We celebrate the courage and vaccination program to ensure
regions to provide first and second
resilience of our frontline crews we reach people living in the
doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
who, since the outbreak, have furthest corners of Western
safely retrieved 131 suspected or Australia is no easy feat and is a When visiting and working in
confirmed COVID-19 patients, true team effort. Aboriginal communities,
helicoptered onto ships to our clinicians work with local
4 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
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 I came to get my
Scott Lotona, Border Village
vaccine today
Roadhouse Manager.
because one
of my sisters is
health services to seek the actually pregnant
advice and permission of Elders and working as
to develop trust and strong
relationships with our patients. a quarantine
With their help, our people are
officer puts me at
warmly welcomed by community increased risk
members. Amanda Ellison,
Thank you for your support as Eucla resident.
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 Our dedicated COVID-19 vaccination team are rolling up to some of the
vaccines State’s most isolated communities. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
5
Engineering
temperature portable freezer, a
battery box fitted with an aircraft
gel battery and a battery charger.
ingenuity
“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
In delivering COVID-19 was found by Mike Chadwick,
RFDS WA Senior Engineer to
How do you keep vaccines to remote
safeguard vaccine vials against
and regional WA, RFDS
the vaccines cold crews travel long distances by aircraft vibrations.
once you turn off the air and road. Custom built holders were
aircraft and there’s To ensure the success of the fabricated by Mike and his team
no power supply? RFDS’ remote program, vaccines to prevent shaking and to avoid
must be kept consistently at the precious vials from bumping
This was a challenge against each other.
-70°C or below.
the RFDS’ engineering
RFDS WA Engineering Manager
team in Perth could Andy Lewis had a brain wave
not resist taking on. involving a specialised, very low
These two examples
really highlight that
the simplest solutions
are often the best.
Propel us The RFDSWA engineering team plays an important role in keeping
forward the Flying Doctor flying. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
6 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
Meet
the
team
behind
the
standardised aircraft fleet and
the introduction of new services
to benefit Western Australians.
RFDS
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
Robin Emmett understands and when COVID-19 began,
RFDS operations like he took up the role of RFDS I walked out of
the back of his hand. Liaison Officer at the State Health the office after my
Having served as a logistician at Incident Coordination Centre. shift and thought
the service’s 24-hour Statewide
Coordination Centre for 33 years,
Since April this year, Robin’s to myself, “Wow,
focus has turned to leading the
Robin is set to retire from the that was cool”.
coordination of our COVID-19
RFDS later this year and you know remote vaccination program That’s what the
he has some stories to share! across WA’s vast regions. Royal Flying Doctor
The Coordination Centre is often “I’m proud to bring the skills and Service is all about –
referred to as the place where
“the magic happens” - and for
knowledge I’ve gained over the doing everything we
past 30 years to this worthwhile
good reason. It’s where more than project,” Robin said.
can with what we’ve
50,000 calls for help are triaged got to be there for
each year and where aircraft “It’s a nice way to see the end of
and crews are tasked to respond my 33 years with the RFDS.” our patients.
to emergencies to ensure our Robin said a memorable retrieval
patients reach definitive care in he helped coordinate involved the
the shortest possible timeframe. lengthening of a remote airstrip by
Robin likens the role to playing lining up the head lights of vehicles
three-dimensional chess with to offer our chief pilot safe passage
people-skills, problem-solving, to land and extract a patient from “The experiences I’ve had while
resilience and teamwork a few of a station north east of Geraldton. working with the RFDS have really
the keys to success. highlighted how people can be so
That day, Robin remembers
giving and compassionate. It never
Over the past 30 years, he has feeling like luck was on his side as
fails to make me proud to be a
witnessed the RFDS undergo he navigated the retrieval of the
Western Australian.”
massive transformation to expand patient who was suffering injuries
its service delivery. due to a motor vehicle accident. Armed with a mischievous grin
and a determined stride, Robin will
Supported by advancements Robin recalls discovering that
be greatly missed when he retires.
in aircraft technology and crews undertaking road works for
communications, this includes the local shire were camping close
the establishment of a centralised by. He was able to get in touch
Coordination Centre, a with them to ask them to help light
the airstrip with their vehicles.
7
Your impact this
Flying Doctor Day
With your support, our crews signs like heart and respiratory
Your support helps can conduct clinical training rates in a format identical to
that mimics complex patient the equipment used by RFDS
prepare our frontline scenarios they may encounter crews in real-life situations.
crews for whatever in real life operations. The REALITi system also mimics
situation they may face. When our crews respond to
defibrillators and ventilators
we use to safely transport our
an emergency, the situation
highest priority patients.
can escalate quickly. Training
We were humbled by
helps ensure our staff know There is no such thing as a standard
the support from
each procedure and where day at the RFDS. The funds
Western Australians
equipment is located in our raised on Flying Doctor Day help
on Flying Doctor Day in May.
aircraft, allowing our crews to our crews provide the highest
As we celebrated the 93rd focus on the patient’s needs. quality clinical care and ensure
anniversary of the first RFDS flight, No matter what emergencies the best possible outcome for
we called on the WA community to our staff face, they can have the our patients.
help keep us flying into the future. confidence to do everything
Even our most experienced staff
Thanks to the support of people required to help our patients.
frequently find themselves in new
like you, Flying Doctor Day raised Your donations also helped and demanding situations that
more than $620,000, far exceeding purchase high-tech equipment are made easier through training.
our original target of $500,000. for the RFDS, the iSimulate
“On behalf of everyone in the
The funds raised will be used REALITi system. This equipment
Clinical Education team, thank
to conduct clinical simulation is vital for conducting ongoing
you for your generosity on Flying
training for RFDS medical crews, high-fidelity simulation training
Doctor Day.” Dr Andy Hooper,
invest in leading technology to for our aeromedical doctors and
Head of Clinical Education said.
improve patient outcomes and flight nurses.
Your support truly helps save lives.
purchase vital equipment to help The technology mimics a patient
the RFDS continue to save lives. 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.
8 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
How we Paper Plane
celebrated “The Friends of the RFDS proudly
celebrated 93 years of the
Challenge
Flying Doctor and will continue Across the State, schools and
our endeavours to keep the businesses celebrated Flying
iconic Flying Doctor in the air. Doctor Day with a Paper
Street Appeal Jenny Matthews President of Plane Challenge, raising vital
Thank you to the amazing Friends of the RFDS – Flying funds while testing their
volunteers who helped Doctor Day Champions. skills and determining who
at our first Perth Street was the best pilot.
Appeal. With the help of Congratulations to Flying
former patients, RFDS staff, Doctor Day Champions
Rotarians, community and Westgold Resources Limited,
corporate volunteers, we who raised the most with
sold our new Australian their Paper Plane Challenge.
made Flying Doctor Socks Westgold held a Paper Plane
in Perth City and raised Challenge at each of their
awareness for the Royal mine sites and at head office.
Flying Doctor Service.
On behalf of our crews and
It was great seeing everyone patients across Western
rocking their new Flying Australia, thank you to
Doctor Socks – even WA everyone who took part in
Premier Mark McGowan. our inaugural Paper Plane
Unique Fundraisers
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 Drill-
a-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 Thank you RFDS. Today I am able
ideas to celebrate Flying to celebrate my daughter Nikita’s
Doctor Day. 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
9
Improving
unique strengths and capability.
The helicopters will be used
for door-to-door aeromedical
our capability
retrievals from regional hospitals
to specialist care at Perth’s major
tertiary hospitals.
The assets provide us with greater
for the next capacity to assist the State when
it needs us most.
century This is an essential
step forward if the
In an Australian first improve health equity for all RFDS is to meet the
for the Flying Doctor, Western Australians, regardless increasingly diverse
two helicopters will of where they live or work,”
join our fleet at the end of 2021. RFDS Western Operations CEO health needs in
The innovation will be the RFDS’ Rebecca Tomkinson said. regional, remote
first dedicated aeromedical and very remote
The introduction of helicopters
helicopter service and crewed by
RFDS’ experienced and trusted
delivers on the commitments communities. We are
made in our 2020 Strategic
team of specialist pilots, doctors
Direction: The Next Century to
excited to take this
and flight nurses. next step in our journey
remain the State’s most trusted
This exciting expansion of our patient retrieval service and to support people
service will provide RFDS crews keep improving health equity
with greater flexibility to deploy
living in regional
for everyone in regional WA.
the best aircraft type to meet Western Australia
The EC145 helicopters will
the needs of each patient’s Rebecca said.
complement our existing fleet
individual circumstances.
of 16 PC-12 turboprop and
“We are absolutely committed three Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24
to our century-old promise to jets. Each aircraft type brings
10 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WAEC145 Rio Tinto PC-24 PC-12
Helicopter LifeFlight Jet Turboprop
Number in fleet: 2 3 16
Average patient
capacity: 1 3 2
Single Pilot Single Pilot Single Pilot
Crew: Doctor Doctor Doctor
Flight Nurse Flight Nurse Flight Nurse
Operational
530 kms 2,500 kms 1,600 kms
range:
Cruising speed: 220 kms per hour 780 kms per hour 480 kms per hour
Door-to-door between High speed, Able to land on short
Unique
hospitals. Able to long range. and challenging
capabilities:
reach difficult locations. airstrips.
Inter-hospital Long distance Mine site, remote
Typical transfers. patient transfers airstrips and primary
missions: (e.g. Broome to Perth). evacuations. Remote
community clinics.
Going the Donate today to help provide the vital medical equipment needed
distance to maintain our fleet. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
11In safe
quickly dragged him back to 1,120km away in Perth, the Royal
shore while calling out for help. Flying Doctor Service was tasked
to respond.
As luck would have it, holidaying
hands
doctors and a local tour guide All RFDS aircraft are equipped
were on scene and were able to with aeromedical equipment
get Jackson into an ambulance. and supplies and are staffed
with pilots, emergency doctors
The deep wound stretching from
and flight nurses who are highly
ankle to toe required Jackson
trained to react and respond to
New South Wales boy to undergo surgery. With the
trauma incidents.
Jackson Bartlett, 10, was closest major hospital located
snorkeling off Coral Bay
in WA’s North West with his dad
in June when he noticed a large
shadow moving fast towards him.
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
12 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WAThanks 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 Patient Jackson Bartlett
himself are triaged, and aircraft scored the opportunity
and crews tasked. to sit in the cockpit of the
Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet!
Your donations help us be there for unexpected emergencies. With your
The RFDS is support, patients like Jackson can be in the safe hands of the Flying
a free service Doctor when it matters most. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/spring
13Recipes from
our family to yours
Please enjoy these delicious recipes from our team at Jandakot.
Artichoke dip
Ingredients Method
1 tin of artichokes, Sauté the onion and garlic in a
chopped into small dice little oil until soft. Remove from
heat and add chopped artichokes,
2 garlic cloves, crushed
parmesan cheese and mayonnaise.
1 onion, chopped Place into an oven proof dish.
1 cup parmesan cheese Bake in the oven at about 160°C
until warmed through and slightly
1 cup egg mayonnaise browned on top. Serve with
bread cut into chunks.
Lolly cake
Ingredients Method
120g butter, melted Melt the butter and condensed
milk together in a large microwave
160g sweetened condensed milk
safe bowl. Add crushed biscuits
250g malt biscuits, crushed to the mixture. Add the chopped
150g clinker chocolates or lollies or chocolates and mix well.
fruit puff lollies, chopped Once combined, place on a clean
surface and form two log shaped
½ cup desiccated coconut cakes using your hands to tightly
pack together. Cover logs well in
coconut and wrap in cling film
We recommend using and chill for at least one hour.
Griffin’s Malt Biscuits from
HOT our friends in New Zealand.
When ready to serve, cut into
two-centimetre-thick slices.
TIP! Available in the International
food aisle of your local
supermarket.
14 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WASupport your Flying
Doctor today
Donate Other ways to support our work
Make a secure
donation online at
rfdswa.com.au/
spring Give Make a Join our Give a thoughtful
through your bequest crew of Christmas gift with
Workplace and join the regular RFDS merchandise
Giving Robin Miller givers available at
Program Society rfdswa.com.au
Follow us on social media
Donate by
@RFDSWA @rfds_wa @royalflyingdoc_wa
telephone
(08) 9417 6400
Subscribe to ‘The Flyer’ by visiting
Complete and
rfdswa.com.au to receive the latest
return the RFDS
Flying Doctor WA news to your inbox!
donation slip
Contact the Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Australia at
Contact giving@rfdswa.com.au or (08) 9417 6400
15Acknowledgement 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
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