New partnership set to benefit Queensland, Australia
The Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) and RACQ LifeFlight have announced that they will be providing a joint service for residents of Queensland, Australia.
The Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) and RACQ LifeFlight have announced that they will be providing a joint service for residents of Queensland, Australia.
The RFDS has said that co-ordinated operations will be overseen by a new Aeromedical Joint Operations Oversight Committee, meaning that patients will benefit from the most appropriate aircraft and personnel being used for each individual mission. Chaired by Mount Isa mayor Tony McGrady, the committee held its first meeting on 6 October.
“Our approach is to work collectively and co-operatively to provide operationally efficient and cost effective lifesaving aeromedical services to the communities we serve,” said LifeFlight CEO Ashley van de Velde.
The first step towards the partnership was co-locating both companies’ assets in RFDS’s hanger, said van de Velde. He added: “There will be many occasions when a rescue helicopter is the appropriate aircraft to deploy and we envisage there will also be occasions when a combined response with an RFDS aircraft will lead to a better patient outcome.”
McGrady also saw the benefit in the co-operative effort: “This is a great outcome for the region and deserves our support to ensure the long-term viability of the region’s aeromedical services. I agreed to chair the Aeromedical Joint Operations Oversight Committee because the success of the initiative will ensure the people of our region can access the very best aeromedical care when needed.”