QUEENSLAND SECTION 2018/19

The furthest corner. The finest care.The furthest corner. The finest care.

2018/19QUEENSLAND SECTION

The furthest corner. The finest care.2

Providing excellence in, and access to, primary health care and aeromedical services across Queensland for 91 years.

The furthest corner.The finest care.

3Queensland Section | 2018-2019


There’s no doubt if our founder, Reverend John Flynn, could see where we are today, he would be proud of how far we have come. From a single leased Qantas plane in Cloncurry in 1928, the RFDS has now been recognised as Australia’s most reputable charity for the eighth year in a row, based on its unswerving commitment to delivering Flynn’s original vision – still so relevant today – of a “mantle of safety” for the bush.

As I will be stepping down as Chairman at this year’s Annual General Meeting, I would like to reflect briefly on some of the key milestones of the last three years and, indeed, the total of five years that I have served in this role (including an earlier stint from 2011 to 2013).

Firstly, in 2018, we launched a new Strategic Plan, to pursue expansion of primary health care services and aeromedical programs, support the growth and development of RFDS employees, promote innovation and develop partnerships and best practice standards. This plan has shaped and defined a clear direction for the organisation, and has firmly set the tone for years to come.

Last year, as a result of extensive advocacy, we were able to secure restoration of our traditional services funding levels, following a reduction in funding in the previous year. This meant a substantial improvement in our national funding profile, extending our Traditional Services Contract for a four year period through until June 2022.

In addition, new funding was secured to expand our services in the fields of dental and mental health. As a result, we have been able to maintain and expand the operation of our mobile dental

van under the innovative program we pioneered in 2012 with the support of Q-Coal.

In April last year, we were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales to the Cairns base during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games for the dedication of VH-FDD as “Outback Angel”.

Last year, we also celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the occasion was marked by a birthday tribute dinner in Cloncurry attended by our Patron, His Excellency the Hon Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland.

As part of the celebrations, we witnessed the Antique Aircraft association first flight re-enactment from Cloncurry to Julia Creek, we held an exhibition at the National Museum, we were honoured with a Queensland Parliamentary reception and we celebrated our 90 years during Local Hero events around the state.

The RFDS Foundation was incorporated with effect from 1 July 2018. The Foundation is designed to encourage social venture capital investment and greater long term philanthropic support for the RFDS in perpetuity. It will provide a significant boost to our fundraising efforts, as we plan for a period of sustained growth.

MARK GRAY – CHAIRMAN

Over the past year, the Queensland Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service has made significant progress, and continues to expand its vital role in delivering aeromedical and primary health care services to people in regional, rural and remote parts of the State.

RFDS (Queensland Section) 2019 Annual General Meeting

Chairman’s Report

There’s no doubt if our founder, Reverend John Flynn, could see where we are today, he would be proud of how far we have come.


In July last year, we farewelled outgoing Chief Executive Officer Nino Di Marco at the Wings for Life Gala. I would like to acknowledge Nino’s enormous dedication and contribution to the RFDS over an extended period of time. In August 2018, we welcomed our new Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib. Meredith has made a great start in her role, refreshing our strategic plan and bringing new energy and focus to the organisation.

In early 2019, the RFDS played a leading role as part of a multi-agency network response to the flood crisis in the north and north west of Queensland. Our swift response and role in the provision of counselling and emotional support services in affected areas was outstanding.

Over the last 12 months, we have introduced four additional aircraft which has enabled us to reconfigure our fleet to provide dedicated clinic aircraft in Mount Isa, Cairns and Charleville, thereby enhancing our service capacity and responsiveness across the network.

We have also made encouraging progress in building better relationships with key stakeholders, especially forging partnerships with regional Hospital and Health Services and Primary Healthcare Networks. For example, successful Health Forums have been held with key stakeholders in Charleville and Cairns, in conjunction with away Board visits.

Other highlights this year include the opening of the Traeger Clinical Innovation and Learning Centre by His Excellency the Hon Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland and a subsequent visit by the Governor General His Excellency, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove.

This facility helps to deliver on our organisation’s promise to embrace innovation and best practice care, using cutting-edge technology and the highest possible standard of training for our frontline team members.

As well, a boost for the organisation and greater Wide Bay community has been the commencement

of the Bundaberg development, our joint project with LifeFlight to construct a purpose-built Base and patient transfer facility which is on track to be fully operational early in 2020. Finally, we are delighted that the Federal Government has committed $15 million in new funding for the establishment of an aeromedical retrieval simulation centre, also in Bundaberg.

We have worked hard to strengthen our financial position. In addition to improved Federal funding, we were able to secure better funding arrangements for our inter-hospital transfer contracts with Queensland Health, and we have also made great advances in our fundraising efforts. As a result, we are now well placed to pursue our renewed strategy of “Towards 100” by investing in critical infrastructure that will enhance our service capacity and ensure that we are “future fit” to meet the ongoing challenges of improving health outcomes for the people we serve.

In particular, we are formulating 10-year plans for infrastructure investment and aircraft replacement which will include further expansion of our bases and improvements in patient transfer facilities, including potential developments of aeromedical super-hubs in Brisbane and Townsville.

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside RFDS Board Directors, the leadership team and RFDS staff, marvellous people who embody the spirit and the success of the organisation.

With the hard work that has been done to put the building blocks in place, I can be confident that the RFDS in Queensland will continue to go from strength to strength in providing the finest health care to the furthest corners of our vast state.

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your Chairman.

Mark Gray Chairman RFDS (Queensland Section)

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside RFDS Board Directors, the leadership team and RFDS staff, marvellous people who embody the spirit and the success of the organisation.



2018/19 has been a significant year for the RFDS in Queensland and we have made some incredible strides. Thanks to your support, we provided 98,191 occasions of care across Queensland which went beyond helping people in an emergency.

Primary health care is a growing area for the RFDS and attributed to over 41% of our activity, something we are very proud of. This primary health care focus covers traditional GP consultations, nursing clinics, mental health consultations and dental clinics. We are committed to continuing to invest in these areas to ensure better health outcomes for regional, rural and remote Queenslanders.

Now, as we move towards 100 years of operation we have refocussed our organisational strategy to evolve with our changing community and stakeholder needs. This will ensure patients, our people and innovation remain at the forefront of everything we do.

With your help we purchased and brought four new clinic aircraft into service, enhancing our fleet and service delivery for patients across Queensland.

We worked hard to strengthen our financial position and are formulating 10-year plans for infrastructure investment and aircraft replacement.

Our workforce will now benefit from the introduction of a mentor program for rural pilots, nurse practitioner trials and medical intern placements for post graduate junior doctors.

In early 2019, the RFDS played a leading role in the multi-agency network response to the monsoon event in the north and north west of

Queensland. The flood and ongoing drought has been tough on communities and now more than ever, our expanded mental health services play a pivotal part in supporting those in desperate need.

And finally, our commitment to best practice across the organisation saw Cairns, Charleville and Mount Isa Bases achieve full Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) accreditation standards this year. We successfully transitioned to CASA Part 141 permitting the RFDS to conduct flight training and achieved IS-BAO Stage 2 and ECAAS accreditations.

The RFDS has a history of innovation at its core and it remains an important part of who we are today. With your help, through the passion and dedication of our staff and in the spirit of John Flynn and Alfred Traeger we will continue to innovate and drive the service towards long-term sustainability in aeromedical and primary health care services.

Meredith Staib Chief Executive Officer RFDS (Queensland Section)

MEREDITH STAIB – CEO

Prior to joining the Royal Flying Doctor Service, I had long admired the organisation. 12 months in, my admiration is twofold.

One, for the passion and commitment of our staff for the work they do and two, for the incredible support we receive from our supporters and the community who again selected us as Australia’s most trusted charity.

From the Chief Executive Officer

With your help we purchased and brought four new clinic aircraft into service, enhancing our fleet and service delivery for patients across Queensland


Locations we travelled to within Queensland >

Aviation statistics for 2018/19

Number of landings 21,021

Hours flown 22,796

Kilometres flown 7,671,244

CharlevilleRoma

Brisbane

Bundaberg

RockhamptonLongreach

Cairns

Townsville

Mount Isa

Cooktown

Lizard Island

Cape Flattery

QLD

Grafton

PungalinaBenmara

Aurukun

Pormpuraaw

Koolatah

Laura

ChillagoeVanrook Station

Wortham Park

Normanton

Donors Hill

LorraineMellish ParkAdels Grove

Gregory Downs

BurketownWernadinga

Doomadgee

Karumba

Sweers Island

Mornington Island

Augustus Downs Neumayer Valley

Burke & Wills Roadhouse

Canobie

Camooweal

Barkly Downs

Headingly

Croydon

Mount SupriseGeorgetown

EinasleighCraigs Pocket

Palm Island

Ayr

Bowen

Hamilton IslandProserpine

Mackay

Gladstone

Hervey Bay

MaryboroughGayndah

Wondai

Sunshine Coast

Caboolture

Moray DownsMoranbah

Dysart

Middlemount

Williamson

Blackwater

Springsure

AlphaBarcaldine

Aramac

Muttaburra

Winton

Boulia

Osborne Mine

Warra

Cannington Mine

Toolebuc

Julia Creek

Proa

Dugald River Mine

Cloncurry

Fort Constantine

Alexandria Station

Oban

The MonumentDajarra

Urandangie

Roxborough Downs

Richmond

BlackallAlbeni

Woorabinda Baralaba

Moura

Theodore

Eidsvold

Taroom

Chinchilla

Thangool

Mundubbera

Kingaroy

Millmerran

Miles

Surat

St George

Nardoo

CunnamullaEulo

Yaraka

Isisford

Thargomindah

NoccundraYowah

MitchellQuilpie

TrinidadWindorah

Moothandella Road Emergency Airstrip

Jundah

Davenport Downs

Bedourie

BirdsvilleBetoota

StonehengeEldwick StationJindalee

Augathella InjuneTooloombilla

Goondiwindi

Mungindi

Tara

WarwickCoolangatta

Inglewood

StanthorpeDirranbandi

Dalby

Toowoomba

Monto

Clermont

Emerald

Greenvale

Charters TowersRavenswood

Pentland

HughendenCollinsville

Mount Gordon

Kidston

Mareeba

Atherton

Innisfail

Tully

Coen

Kowanyama

Lockhart River

Horn Island

Lismore Moree

Essendon

Co�s HarbourInverell

TobermoreyAmpilatwatja Station

Alexandria StationAlpurrurulam

Walhallow Station

Alice Springs

McKinlay

Delta Downs Stirling Station

Miranda Downs

Herbertvale Cattleyard Station

Rutland Plains

Strathmay

Merluna

Skardon River

Mapoon

Ingham

Saxby Downs

Bunda Bunda

Munjuro

Pungalina

Wollogorang

Planet Downs

KamileroiBoomarra

UndillaHomestead

Lolworth

Thylungra

Tanbar

Quilpeta

Wareo

Wittenburra

Hungerford

Bollon

Texas

Jericho

Tambo

Bayswater

Monkira

BabbilooraMount Owen

Hawthorne

Barenya

Glenagra

Oak Valley

Century Mine

Gilberton Station Woodstock

Lakefield

Lakeland Downs Wujal Wujal

Forsayth

WeipaNapranum

Dunbar Station

Wando Vale Station

Rolleston

Eromanga

Buckland Road Emergency Airstrip

Ingelara

Naryilco

Drumdu�

Gamboola

Pinnacle Station

Musgrave Station

Wattle Hills

Bramwell Station

Gregory Springs

Lake Dunn

NorthernPeninsula Area

Werrington Station

Ravenshoe

SeisiaUmagico

BamagaInjinoo

New Mapoon

Northern Peninsula Airport

DimbulahHerberton

RavenshoeMission Beach

Malanda

Sapphire

Ilfracombe

Cherbourg

Morven

Calvert HillsMittiebah station

Gallipoli


Child and Family Health Services

Mobile Dental Unit

Health Promotion Field Days

Mental Health Services

General Practice Services

More than emergency aeromedical retrievals, RFDS provides primary health care services to more than 41,000 people in 109 locations across Queensland.

Our primary health care locations >

NorthernPeninsula Area

SeisiaUmagico Bamaga

Injinoo

Charleville

Roma

Brisbane

Bundaberg

RockhamptonLongreach

Cairns

Townsville

Mount Isa

Cooktown

Wujal Wujal

QLD

Pormpuraaw

Laura

DimbulahHerberton

Babinda

Normanton

Donors Hill StationAdels Grove

Gregory Downs

Burketown

Doomadgee

Karumba

Mornington Island

Camooweal

Croydon

Mount Suprise

Einasleigh

Springsure

AlphaBarcaldine

Ilfracombe

Isisford

Aramac

Muttaburra

Winton

Julia Creek

McKinlayCloncurry

DajarraUrandangie

Richmond

Blackall

Theodore

Surat

St GeorgeCunnamulla

Eulo

Thargomindah Yowah

Mitchell

Morven

Windorah

Jundah

Bedourie

Birdsville

Stonehenge

Augathella

Tara

Dirranbandi

Monto

Clermont

Pentland

Hughenden Collinsville

Mareeba

InnisfailRavenshoe

Tully

Coen

Kowanyama

Lockhart River

Northern Peninsula Airport

Delta Downs Station

Mission Beach

Mapoon

Yaraka

Jericho

Tambo

Gilberton Station

WeipaNapranum

Dunbar Station

Wando Vale StationRavenswood

Sapphire

Rolleston

Eromanga

Wortham Park Station

Pinnacle Station

Musgrave Station

Wattle Hills

Bramwell Station

Gregory Springs Station

Barenya Station

Cherbourg

Lake Dunn

New Mapoon

ChillagoeAtherton

Malanda

GeorgetownForsayth

Boulia

Injune

Quilpie

Greenvale

Werrington Station


Blackwater

Georgetown

Monto

Maryborough

Mungindi

Birdsville

Horn IslandThursday Island

Aurukun

Doomadgee

Mornington Island

Mackay

Proserpine

Emerald

Gladstone

Hervey Bay

Kingaroy

Coen

Julia CreekCloncurry

QLDAlpurrurulam

Goondiwindi

Miles

Moura

Toowoomba

St George

Quilpie

Thargomindah Cunnamulla

Barcaldine

Winton

Hughenden

Boulia

Weipa

Lockhart River

Pormpuraaw

CooktownKowanyama

Innisfail

Normanton

Burketown

Dirranbandi

Bamaga

Cairns

Townsville

Rockhampton

Bundaberg

Charleville

Brisbane

Longreach

Mount Isa

Roma

Camooweal

Aeromedical and emergency services

Number of transports

for 2018/19

Clinic Opportunistic 41

Inter-Hospital Transfer 10,560

Primary Response 1,099

Repatriation 77

Brisbane

Bundaberg

Cairns

Charleville

Mount Isa

Rockhampton

Townsville

Top 10 aeromedical evacuation flight paths for each base >

We are governed by a skills-based Board of Directors with a strong connection to rural and remote Queensland. More than half of its members currently live in regional Queensland, with several of its representatives also being current or former rural GPs or Flying Doctors.

Operating from nine Bases across Queensland, our mission to provide excellence in and access to primary health care and aeromedical services sees us deliver more than 98,000 occasions of care to people across the state each year.

Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) works to provide primary health care and emergency medical services to anyone who lives, works or travels in rural and remote Queensland.

Queensland Section | 2018-2019 11

Operational excellence in aviation and other

delivery platforms

Continuous, ongoing focus on best practice

Support our people

Consolidate and pursue expansion of our primary health care services and aeromedical program

Build and foster a culture of continuous innovation

Stakeholder and partnership

development

Strategic Priorities

Our ability to access some of the most remote parts of the country over the past 91 years places us in a privileged position of trust within these communities. With our background in aeromedical retrieval, we have grown to be one of the largest providers of primary health care services in the country. We actively collaborate with other like-minded health care partners such as Primary Health Networks, Hospital and Health Services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, to support and promote multidisciplinary, team-based care for the people of regional, rural and remote Queensland. We are committed and engaged in clinical design and innovation tailored for Queensland’s rural and remote populations.

We employ some of the most highly qualified medical officers, nurses and mental health professionals in the country.

Our complete, multi-disciplinary approach to health care

Aeromedical ServicesOur aeromedical operations include both primary retrievals and interhospital patient transfers across Queensland. Working in partnership with Retrieval Services Queensland and alongside other service providers, we provide access to emergency and specialist care for more than 11,700 patients each year.

GP ClinicsComprehensive full and half day clinics are regularly conducted at more than 30 throughout Queensland. With more than 26,970 patients seen in the past 12 months, our GP Clinics include a range of additional services including skin and hearing checks. Our highly qualified GPs and PHC Nurses are enabling clinical leadership and patient centered care, specifically tailored for Queensland’s rural and remote population.

Child and Maternal HealthAll of our PHC nurses are trained midwives, and alongside our Medical Officers, offer a comprehensive Child and Maternal Health service to expecting and new mothers across Queensland.

Field Day and Health PromotionRFDS Field Days were conducted at 15 cattle stations this year, tailored specifically around individual community needs. Held in conjunction with our GP Clinics, the Field Days provide a true social experience with a health promotion focus, covering areas such as first aid, diet and nutrition, mental health and exercise.


Mental HealthOur dedicated Mental Health Clinicians deliver comprehensive services to people suffering mental health issues. Working closely with local GPs under a Stepped Care approach, our clinicians provide a full range of interventions, from low intensity, through to the more severe and complex disorders. Our Mental Health program delivered 11,915 occasions of care in the past 12 months, predominantly across the Far North and Central Western regions of Queensland. The RFDS is also continuing its role as Lead Agency for headspace in Cairns, which is responsible for the provision of youth mental health and counselling services in the region.

Further strengthening its provision of mental health services across the state, the RFDS also facilitates the Drought Wellbeing Service (DWS), a free counselling and support program for people living and working in drought affected areas across Queensland.

TelehealthOur Medical Officers located in Mount Isa, Cairns and Charleville offer a 24-hour medical consultation service to people living, working or travelling in remote and rural Queensland. We have extended our telehealth service to include the use of videoconferencing technology from our Cairns Base to people living in northern parts of the state. The telehealth service has also expanded over the past 12 months to include after hours and weekend consultation times.

Medical ChestsWe provide more than 1,200 medical chests to remote communities (cattle stations, mining sites, off shore enterprises) across the state and into the Northern Territory. The contents of the chests are prescribed remotely by RFDS Medical Officers, with the support of a 24/7 aeromedical emergency and telehealth service.

RFDS Dental ServiceOur custom built, mobile dental surgery travels to 16 remote communities each year. This Commonwealth funded service provides X-rays and extractions, treatment for acute or pre-existing conditions, treatments for gum disease and referrals to specialist dental services. Since its inception in 2013, the service has provided free dental treatment to more than 15,600 patients at a notional cost of around $8.8 million.

ImmunisationsThrough our Child and Maternal Health program, we administer over 3,000 immunisations a year.



episodes of care across Queensland each year

98,000+ 11,915consultations conducted by RFDS mental health clinicians in the past year

immunisations administered in the past year

3,000+medical chests provided to remote Queensland communities by the RFDS

1,200

At a glance - 2018/19

* Primary Health Care consultations also includes Telehealth and immunisations. ** Our Roma Base facilitates a Queensland Government funded obstetrician program for people in south west Queensland.

Base

Primary Health Care

Consultations*

Mental Health Service

Aeromedical Retrievals

Inter-hospital Transfers

Tasking Calls

Brisbane - - 1 2,233 2,442

Bundaberg - - 2 1,945 4,756

Cairns 32,698 3,124 497 663 975

Charleville 6,761 - 102 531 216

Longreach - 1,742 - - -

Mount Isa 10,298 - 447 522 550

Rockhampton - - 11 2,627 5,698

Townsville - - 39 2,039 4,947

Service

RFDS Dental Service 2,272 - - - -

Outback Mental Health - 1,535 - - -

headspace Cairns - 5,514 - - -

Total 52,029 11,915 1,099 10,560 19,584

15

remote consultation calls through our telehealth service

16,640patients transferred each year via aeromedical services

11,700+consultations per year provided by RFDS Dental Service

2,272patients seen by RFDS GP Clinics in Queensland in the past 12 months

26,970

Queensland Section | 2018-2019

Providing excellence in, and access to, primary health care and aeromedical services across Queensland.

ABN: 80 009 663478

The furthest corner. The finest care.

Royal Flying Doctor Service acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of this land.

RFDS Bases

RFDS Brisbane Base12 Casuarina StreetBrisbane Airport QLD 4008T 07 3860 1100F 07 3860 1122E [email protected]

RFDS Bundaberg BaseAeromedical HangarHinkler AirportChilders RoadBundaberg QLD 4670T 07 4131 3000F 07 4155 2372E [email protected]

RFDS Cairns BaseRoyal Flying Doctor StreetGeneral AviationCairns Airport QLD 4870T 07 4040 0444F 07 4040 0199E [email protected]

RFDS Charleville BaseJohn Flynn WayCharleville QLD 4470T 07 4654 1233F 07 4654 1629E [email protected]

RFDS Longreach Base137 B and C Eagle StreetLongreach QLD 4730T 07 4652 5800F 07 4652 5899E [email protected]

RFDS Mount Isa Base11 Barkly HighwayMount Isa QLD 4825T 07 4743 2800F 07 4743 0521E [email protected]

RFDS Rockhampton BaseHangar 5, Aviation DriveRockhampton QLD 4700T 07 4921 2221F 07 4921 2277E [email protected]

RFDS Roma BaseRFDS HangarRoma Airport QLD 4055T 07 4624 4500F 07 4624 4504E [email protected]

RFDS Townsville BaseHangar 117Corner Gypsy Moth Court and Viscount DriveTownsville Airport QLD 4810T 07 4775 3111F 07 4775 3511E [email protected]

How you can help

To help meet the costs associated with running a 24 hour emergency and comprehensive health care service, the RFDS relies on the generosity of individuals, community groups, business and the corporate sector as well as funding provided by the Commonwealth and State Governments.

The money donated to the RFDS helps to:

> purchase and medically fit out aircraft> develop a range of outback and rural health initiatives

Please donate today:

> Mail to 12 Casuarina Street, Brisbane Airport QLD 4008> Call us on 1300 669 569> Visit our website www.flyingdoctor.org.au/qld

PRINCIPAL PARTNERS >

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS > FUNDING PARTNERS >MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORTERS >

Documents

QUEENSLAND SECTION 2018/19