We'd like to introduce Rex.
He's a new addition to the Weekend River Social Club.
He's very fast, so Dui and I grounded him so you could see him.
His peep is a Nurse Practitioner with the
Royal Flying Doctor Service. (nice segue into today's topic.)
As you may or may not know, Australia is a BIG place,
with a small population.
(About the size of the evacuation of Florida during Irma.)
Most people live along the east coast.
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| We live in the Texas bit. |
Most of the interior...the outback... is sparsely populated.
Hospitals and medical centres are small and few.
That's where the RFDS comes in.
We have a base right here in town and though, SHE sees it
whenever SHE goes to the airport...has never visited it!
Until today!
There was a museum and video
explaining medical help in remote communities.
This is a modern First Aid Kit supplied to a reliable resident.
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| The list of contents is on the back. |
Everything must be accounted for.
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| This is an old medical chest. |
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| This chart helps doctor's give medical advice for first aid. |
There was a story of a man who complained he hurt in area 9, and was told to look for the drugs at 9 in the chest.
Asked how he was the next day and he said 'Great'. He couldn't find 9, so took a 7 and 2!
Dubbo has a fleet of five Beechcraft planes....costing $9 million each.
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| This one was in the hangar ready for use. |
Each BLADE of the propellers is worth $10,000.
They are made in the US and the pilots have to go there to be trained. A new facility is in the pipeline, much larger and train pilots here in Dubbo in future.
The RFDS is always ready to transfer patients to Dubbo Base or larger hospitals in the cities. They can have a doctor and nurse on board depending on the case, or just the nurse (and pilot, of course.)
They attend road accidents, farming accidents, rodeo accidents, illness, deliver the occasional baby, or transfer child transplant patients.
There was a simulator for visitors.
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| Cockpit |
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| Supplies |
The main cabin with stretcher, hospital bed, and equipment.
Also seats for the staff and any accompanying relatives.
Some of the bases provide health clinics to remote areas.
Ours has a Tooth Plane, providing dental services to remote areas.
Sometimes in the middle of the night, we hear a plane overhead and know the RFDS is at work.
that was super interesting and I hope the flying doctors are always there when the peeps need them. the mama grinned as she read about the 7+2 man... that would happen to her too... although she has no clue how much 7 and 2 really is... so she probably would stick with the lower numbers hehe
ReplyDeleteI too find the 7+2 event hilarious!
ReplyDeleteIts incredible work the flying doctors do
Looking at your map, I live in the midlle of nowhere in the Northern Territories...should I be worried?
Mmm...I wonder what Buttie Pillars they have there?
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
What a wonderful and informative post on the RFDs professionals.
ReplyDeleteTheir dedication is amazing and OMCs what a gorgeous 'office' they have. God bless each and every member on each Flying hosptial.
Hugs madi your bfff
Great idea with the numbers. The 7 and 2? The 7 was probably Seagram's 7 crown and the 2 was Dos Equis. That will get you healthy or at least you'll feel no pain.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't realize how big Australia was. Thank you for such an informative post.
ReplyDeleteWow - what an interesting post! We learned a lot today!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! We saw a show on Netflix about these heros!
ReplyDeleteYo-ho-ho! Yer Pirate Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Thank you for that informative post. Now we can impress people with our knowledge of Austrlia and look smart. We will look for the show on Netflix
ReplyDeleteNice to meet your new friend Rex. And very interesting to learn about those special doctor services. We did chuckle at the story about the area 9, 7, and 2:)
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
That was very interesting to learn about the RFDS!
ReplyDeletehugs
Hazel & Mabel
That is so cool! I can imagine they see some crazy things in the outback!
ReplyDeleteThe flying doctor sounds so glamorous and exotic, at least to those of us based in the densely populated UK. Perhaps less so if you are sick or injured and waiting for the plane to arrive and the nearest hospital is hundreds of miles away.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
Dearest Bella I'm writing to inquire about your recent vet events?
ReplyDeleteHow are you feeling dear friend?
Hugs madi your bfff
What a great service for those not living close to medical care. Around here we have helicopters (called Mercy Flight) that take accident victims or other urgent care patients to hospitals that would otherwise take an hour or more to travel by ambulance. Not quite as far as the outback but a great service if you need them.
ReplyDeleteThat was interesting. Its nice to know that they have your back if you need them!!
ReplyDeleteWags
Oreo