THE ground-breaking patient transfer facility is starting to take shape at Mount Gambier Regional Airport, which will deliver improved services for hundreds of people who are retrieved during medical emergencies.
A community appeal – launched by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) late last year – has already tipped a staggering $250,000 in cash donations and in-kind support.
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 hangar.
The first of its type in regional Australia, the facility will house an intensive care unit and on-site ambulance bay.
This ambulance bay is expected to reduce waiting periods for medical transfers.
The facility is on track to become operational in April following the building works kicking off in late January.
RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group president Bill Russon revealed yesterday cash donations continued to pour in for the facility.
“The progress of the project has been phenomenal,” Mr Russon said.
“We are probably in the vicinity of between $200,000 and $250,000 towards the project. As of yesterday morning, we have had someone pledge another $50,000.
“The donations just keep coming. The community, including businesses, councils and individuals, have been very generous. The support has been superb.”
Mr Russon said the project was attracting significant support given the RFDS provided a medical lifeline to regional residents.
“The RFDS central office is thrilled with the involvement from the community and how much people have contributed.”
He foreshadowed there would be an open day so people could see the project first hand.
Mr Russon said he was particularly thrilled an ambulance would be stationed at the new facility, which would cut waiting times for medical transfers.
“It will shoot in from the hospital. It will be specifically lined up for RFDS jobs,” he said.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin – who yesterday handed over a $15,000 donation from City Council – said the new project was “raising the bar” for regional patients.
She said the facility was “phenomenal” and she felted comforted that the service was available during medical emergencies.
“This is reassuring. We are so far from specialist treatment, but to have that patient care from the hospital to the airport transfer facility is impressive and a good outcome for our community,” Ms Martin said.
“Council recognises the vital role the RFDS play in supporting our community in times of critical need and we are very pleased to provide support for the first facility of this type in regional Australia.”
The civic leader thanked the RFDS for their services, including the work of the Mount Gambier support group.
“We are most grateful for the service provided by the RFDS, which is of significant benefit to the residents of the City of Mount Gambier and the wider region and I thank them for all they do.”
Project manager Michael Zillante said the Ahrens Group was thrilled to be part of the project as head contractor.
“The Ahrens Group has had a long standing association with the RFDS,” Mr Zillante said.
He said around 70 contractors would be involved in the construction of the facility.
Mr Zillante said construction of the new facility was a well under way given the bulk of earthworks and demolition was completed, the concrete slab to the hangar poured and the ambulance bay’s concrete piers installed.
Structural steel had also been erected along with roofing/cladding.
The construction team this week will focus on establishing the new Patient Transfer Facility area, where patients can be treated or stabilised by RFDS crew pre or post flight.
Plasterboard, doors and windows have already been installed.
In show of generosity, a number of contractors have donated their time and materials.
The city is the top landing location outside of the bases at Adelaide and Port Augusta.
