Royal Flying Doctor Service marks 96 years of lifesaving missions in remote WA

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has provided almost 100 years of emergency medical aid to people living remotely, that would have been otherwise unreachable. Wednesday May 15 is Flying Doctor Day which marks the 96th anniversary of the service which has provided a safety net for regional West Australian communities. This Flying Doctor Day, the RFDS is raising funds to purchase vital medical equipment for its fleet of 22 aircraft to ensure it can continue to provide 24/7 emergency health care to anyone living, working or travelling in regional Western Australia. Serving the world’s largest health jurisdiction, 28 people in Western Australia depend on the Flying Doctor’s medical care every day. People manager at Fortescue, Leia Piccoli, is one of many patients that without the treatment of RFDS could be living with irreversible ailments. Ms Piccoli was only 35 when she suffered a stroke and a stress induced heart attack while she was working on site in the Chichester region. Initially she had symptoms of disorientation and physical instability. “I remember feeling really funny, and I actually became quite delusional,” she said. An on-site paramedic contacted the RFDS and they arrived within two hours to provide medical care, and vital transport to Port Hedland Hospital. “If I didn’t get the urgent medical care I needed, I could have had another stroke or heart attack,” Ms Piccoli said. Doctors assessed Ms Piccoli at Port Hedland Hospital and determined she needed specialist care, she was then again air lifted by the RFDS and taken to Royal Perth Hospital. During both flights the doctors and nurses provided great psychological care - soothing Ms Piccoli - who had never experienced close to a stroke before. “They gave me lots of reassurance throughout both flights,” she said. RFDS chief executive Judith Barker believes funding the service is more crucial than ever, as demand increases every year. “Demand for our services is continuously growing and we remain committed to addressing the evolving health needs of regional Western Australia, now and into the future,” Ms Barker said. Ms Piccoli has shared her story to highlight the importance of donating to the service. “I’ hope that with my story being told, that people who maybe wouldn’t usually support RFDS are really thinking about supporting because really, it’s a service for everyone,” she said.