Dear Friend, It is hard to believe we are almost five months into the year, but I hope you have been keeping well.
It is important to recognise that some parts of coastal NSW have been badly affected by flooding and our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and property in the devastation.
As you may know, one of my passions is aviation, and the unique method of transport the Royal Flying Doctor Service use to provide healthcare has made us part of Australian folklore for more than 90 years.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) (RFDSSE) is a health service first and foremost but it is underpinned by aviation, and it allows us to travel to remote areas quickly when required.
That is why the news we have expanded our aeromedical services at Bankstown and Broken Hill is so pleasing.
In January we increased our Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) services out of Bankstown by two eight-hour shifts per weekday. At Broken Hill the existing 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week aeromedical service has been boosted by an additional daily 12-hour shift on behalf of NSW Health.
This means we have more planes in the air in these areas, and will ensure more pilots and medical specialists are located out of these bases.
It also means the RFDSSE can respond better to both emergency retrieval and NEPT requirements.
Our mantra is focused on being there when people need us and our new services ensure we can deliver on that.
I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate my fellow board member Ruth Sandow on her well-deserved recent recognition at the NSW Tourism Awards.
In addition to her tireless work for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Ruth commits to a number of causes in support of her community, including driving tourism in the top corner of NSW.
It was this work, promoting Milparinka and Corner Country, that saw Ruth receive the Dean Gorddard Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.
Those who know Ruth know her dedication to growing and strengthening Far North-West NSW and making it a great place to live and visit.
Congratulations Ruth! Here at the Flying Doctor we are lucky to have a passionately invested board, with a great mix of people who are accomplished in health delivery, aviation and knowledgeable about the communities we serve.
We are extremely proud of the work that the South Eastern Section does to ensure that some of the most remote and isolated communities in NSW receive high-quality healthcare.
Rest assured we are continually committed to ensuring the Flying Doctor is there when we are needed most.
It is also important that we recognise the incredible support we receive from our donors, community fundraisers, partners, auxiliaries, support groups and volunteers.
Without you, it just wouldn’t be possible to continue our work.
The fact you stand side-by-side with us makes us so much stronger and allows us to meet the ever-evolving needs of our service users. Alex Scamps President, Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section)
