Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Flight Nurse (Midwifery) Stacey Clayworth has spent the last decade taking to the skies of Queensland, providing care to those who need it most.
For Stacey, her experience with the RFDS started at a young age. From growing up in a rural town to using the service herself.
"I grew up in the outback mining town of White Cliffs in New South Wales, and the RFDS was an important part of our small town," Stacey said.
"The RFDS had a clinic visit once a week, and I just loved watching the plane fly in.
"My mum worked at the clinic, often driving the ambulance and doing the roo runs.
“When I was young, I was bitten by a red back spider, and I was flown out by RFDS to Broken Hill and still remember the flight.
“I think this began my early interest into wanting to be a part of such an iconic organisation.”
Determined to follow her passion, Stacey pursued nursing studies at Newcastle University before undertaking a placement with the RFDS Broken Hill.
“I loved the placement,” she shared.
“Working for the RFDS became my career goal, and I went on to work on this by specialising in critical care.”
All RFDS Flight Nurses require dual nursing and midwifery qualifications to ensure they are equipped with expert knowledge to respond in every situation, a qualification Stacey was determined to achieve.
“I received a RFDS midwifery scholarship and after completing my studies I joined the RFDS in Queensland which was a dream come true," she said.
"Now, 10 years on, I look back and think what an incredible journey it has been, filled with so many wonderful adventures.
“Only two weeks ago we had the incredible privilege of supporting a new mum with the birth of her beautiful baby at a small rural non-birthing hospital.
“It was such a special moment and certainly one of my most favourite jobs I’ve done over the years.
“It really is true what they say, if you love what you do then you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Happy International Day of the Midwife to all the remarkable midwives who play a crucial role supporting mothers and newborns far and wide.
