Jasmin Murray
The outburst of Coronavirus has affected many individuals and communities throughout the world and those in rural and regional Australia have been suffering with access to medical support through the pandemic due to a lack of funding.
Between February and May, in Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service transported 291 potentially infected patients.
Throughout this time the availability of aircraft was not an issue for the RFDS, however the lack of access to trained professionals and medical equipment for treating these patients became evident as an increase in Category 3 Coronavirus patients were being found in rural communities.
Queensland Government’s donation to community health organisations
The Queensland Government donated $30 million to community health organisations with $300,000 going directly to aid the Royal Flying Doctor Service to ensure their services can remain operational and reach rural and regional parts of the country.
“There is more funding available if required as the health crisis drags on”
Steven Miles
Queensland Health Minister
The severity of complications which the virus causes to sufferers can be life threatening, which has resulted in the need for more medical equipment and higher preventative measures to be enforced in the health industry.
“There’s a need to be particularly careful around how we look after our staff and then how we look after the patients.”
Meredith Staib
Royal Flying Doctor Service
Connecting to patients in rural Australia through new medical technology
The increase of medical technology globally during this time has allowed for the RFDS to incorporate new technological medical services to those patients who do not require in person care.
“We have had to change our models of care, telemedicine allows us to stay connected”
Meredith Staib
Royal Flying Doctor Service CEO