The Royal Flying Doctor Service of WA is proud to again showcase its life-saving work and support Perth's annual Caravan and Camping Show (17-21 March) at Claremont Showgrounds.
Providing a 24-hour aeromedical retrieval service, up to a quarter of emergency evacuations the RFDS undertakes involves travellers experiencing an unexpected medical emergency while travelling throughout Western Australia. Common reasons for retrievals include trauma, heart attack and stroke.
Available for hire at the show is the RFDS’ new ‘Off the Track’ Medical Chests which are equipped with emergency medications and access to 24/7 telehealth care from experienced emergency doctors.
RFDS GM of Health Service Delivery James Sherriff said the Flying Doctor is proud to have provided a ‘mantle of safety’ to all who travel and explore our great state for more than 90 years.
“Each RFDS aircraft is equipped with lifesaving medical equipment and supplies which operate as Intensive Care Units in the sky and are staffed with our highly experienced emergency doctors and flight nurses,” James said.
“Our frontline crew fly an average of 25 people a day to safety and can be called to the furthest corners of WA and everywhere in between for a variety of reasons.
“I encourage families and tour groups who have plans to venture off the beaten track to come check out our new medical chests which are essentially a ‘pharmacy in a box’ and can put time on your side in a medical emergency.
“People can have important peace of mind as they travel through our remote state knowing the Flying Doctor’s lifesaving care can reach them wherever they are when they need us the most.”
Attendees are also invited to take a piece of the Flying Doctor home with our full range of merchandise available for purchase, with all proceeds directly supporting the service.
The RFDS exhibit is located at site 365 where crews will be on hand to meet and greet visitors from Wednesday 17 March to Sunday 21 March, between 9am and 5pm.
Editor's notes
- During FY19-20, the RFDS retrieved and provided in-flight medical care to 9,033 patients across WA. That's on average 25 men, women and children flown to safety each day.
- Services: 24-hour aeromedical retrieval service, primary health care clinics, dental clinics, telehealth consultations and medical chest
- Bases: Jandakot, Kalgoorlie, Meekatharra, Port Hedland and Broome
- Fleet: 17 PC-12 turboprop aircraft and two Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet aircraft with a third to arrive in 2022
- Our People: The RFDS in WA is staffed by flight nurses, emergency doctors, pilots, engineers, logisticians, administrative and corporate staff.
