THE Royal Flying Doctor Service will establish a “ground-breaking” patient transfer facility at Mount Gambier Regional Airport, which will be the first of its kind in regional South Australia.
The $500,000 landmark project will facilitate the transfer of patients from the ambulance to the aeromedical retrieval aircraft inside the new facility, which is being established in a converted hanger at the airfield.
Under current arrangements, patients – often in a critical condition and needing lifesaving treatment – are transferred into the retrieval aircraft on the tarmac in all weather conditions.
The Blue Lake city has been earmarked for the project given it is the top landing location outside of the RFDS bases in Adelaide and Port Augusta.
Figures show RFDS crews touch down somewhere in the South East twice a day and at least once in Mount Gambier.
The major announcement was delivered yesterday with representatives from RFDS, Grant District Council and other parties in what has been described as a major development for regional patients.
A major regional community fundraising campaign will now take flight to raise money for the facilty, which is expected to be fully operational by early next year.
While the fundraising campaign will kick-off, the project is not reliant on any fundraising targets.
Speaking on the tarmac in front of a $7m RFDS state-of-the-art medical aircraft, RFDS central operations chief executive Tony Vaughan said the new facility would set a new standard in care at regional aerodromes across the state.
“The RFDS is focused on driving continual improvement in our care for every patient and at every touchpoint and we’re delighted the community has come on board and supported this landmark project every step of the way,” Mr Vaughan said.
“We directed the $70,000 donation received back in May from our Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group towards the purchase of the hangar and Grant District Council has been fantastic in waiving costs and offering in-kind services now and into the future.”
He said the new facility would improve response times for critical patients, as well as upgrading comfort levels for patients, crews and service-delivery partners.
The RFDS has purchased an existing aircraft hangar on site and will refurbish half the structure into an indoor patient care facility and retain the other half as a traditional hangar for aircraft parking and patient loading under cover, when required.
The converted hangar will enable RFDS and SAAS MedSTAR crews to stabilise a deteriorating patient more effectively before a flight.
Grant District Council acting chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh said the council was proud to support the project by providing civil services to the building and waiving rent/lease charges on a long-term basis.
“Council identify this as a landmark project, setting a new standard for patient transport and has entered into a peppercorn lease arrangement for a period of 21 years with the RFDS,” Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said.
“This means that council will waive the cost of utilities, lease fees, rates and other costs associated with the lease of the land to support the RFDS in providing this critical service,” she said.
SA Ambulance regional operations manager Andrew Thomas also welcomed the announcement yesterday, revealing an ambulance will be located at the new facility for use by the RFDS and SAAS MedSTAR retrieval teams.
This additional capacity will ensure patients are transferred in a timely manner with minimal impact on ambulance resources in Mount Gambier.
“The significant investment by the RFDS in this important infrastructure, supported by the SAAS contribution of an ambulance on site, will enable RFDS and SAAS MedSTAR teams to jointly deliver a better patient experience and more seamless patient journey,” Mr Thomas said.
Ahrens Group Pty Ltd has been named head contractor of the design, construction and refurbishment project and regional trades will be sourced where possible to complete the works.
Meanwhile, Mr Vaughan yesterday launched a local fundraising campaign to raise funds for the facility.
“Just like our aircraft and medical equipment, this infrastructure will be funded solely by our fundraising and donations from the community,” Mr Vaughan said.
“All donations received from the Lower South East region between now and Christmas will be directed to completing the RFDS Mount Gambier Patient Transfer Facility project,” he said.
“In addition to monetary support, we are also seeking support from local trades such as electrical, carpentry, painting and air-conditioning, which can provide in-kind professional services and make significant cost-savings to the project.”
The refurbishment work is scheduled to start within weeks.
The fundraising campaign will be spearheaded by the RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group, which has been at the forefront of raising funds for the aeromedical service over many years.
Group president Bill Russon said Mount Gambier community would be “thrilled” with the announcement.
“We are going to have a facility that will give people protection and a transfer system that gets them out of the weather., Mr Russon said.
“The local community will be behind it. I will be ensuring we chase as many of the service clubs and everybody else to support this.”
