traveltales: ROYAL FLYING DOCTORS

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

ROYAL FLYING DOCTORS

What a great Service!

A docent met us in the lobby of The Royal Flying Doctor Service and led us into a small auditorium where we saw a fantastic film of the Service in action.

The service started in 1928 with one plane. Today, in Alice Springs, the service operates with six doctors, six nurses, six pilots, three planes, and three engineers providing free service to the public. The goal is to do three clinics a day or 1000 a year in the Outback. Everyone works twelve-hour shifts for two days, has one day off and repeats the cycle.

Tourists account for 18% of the business; many of the calls are at Ayers Rock. The annual budget is $9 million. Planes cost $4.5 million each. Like everywhere else government funds have been recently cut.

A drug box containing 100 drugs, packaged by number not name, is kept at numerous outposts around the country. Much prescribing can be done by phone. The service in Alice Springs covers an area 70 kilometers in diameter from the city. The population in this area, excluding the city, is 16,000. The pilots have access to over 150 airstrips.

Today the service is in the hands of six mainland sections each having one or more radio control stations. There are 16 base locations around the country from which Flying Doctors operate. In total the Service employs 27 doctors, 58 nurses, 65 pilots, 34 engineers, 51 administrative staff, 46 mechanics and other staff and nine general hands.

No other service in the world operates over such a vast territory, providing such a comprehensive health care service. They are not merely an aerial ambulance, but a remote area health care provider. The Alice Springs service averages five evacuations a day. They are no longer than two hours away from any location. The entire service covers 2.3 million square kilometers.

Wireless, wings, and stethoscope. What an interesting visit! As a healthcare professional in my other life I was fascinated, and wished I were younger.

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Travel Tips

Wet feet, who has rubbers these day? To dry wet shoes put crumpled newspaper inside the shoe and it will wick out all the moisture. If you expect your travels to take you where your feet are likely to be walking in puddles or streams, pack a section of newspaper in the bottom of your suitcase.
In many places in the world the tip is included in the restaurant bill---good to know!
In Europe bathrooms are referred to as WC or toilet. Any other term is not understood.
When hiking, stop to tighten shoe/boot laces before starting down hill.
When traveling by plane be sure to wear all cotton clothing, which today is no problem. In case of fire, man-made fibers melt, cotton burns instead, leaving a clean burn vs one with all kinds of junk melted into it.
Didn't expect a sunburn and have no Rx for it? Dab the area with a cool wet tea bag. the tannin in the tea will reduce inflamation.
I bet you travel with a small bottle of hand sanitizer either in your purse or pocket. Did you know that when you spill something in your lap or wear part of your lunch that a few dabs of hand sanitizer on the spot will make it disappear like magic!
Speaking of shoes, I do not recommend removing them on a long flight. Untie and loosen them. I have actually seen people not be able to get their shoes back on because their feet have swollen during a long flight. Oach!
As painful as it may be limit yourself to two pairs of shoes. You are not traveling to make a fashion statement. Wear your heavest pair which should be a good pair of walking shoes. Pack a lighter pair or sandals.
Make a copy of all your documents and credit cards before leaving home and carry seperately. Also before leaving home leave a copy of your itinerary including hotels and their phone numbers and dates of stay with a family member.
It's always tempting to take a sleeping pill on a long overseas flight, BUT I never do because in the unlikely event of problems I want to have all my senses about me!
Afraid of bedbugs these days? Carry a small squirt bottle of lavender along with your other liquids. Spray your pillow and around your bed and mattress. This will give you a good visual and also repel the little devils.
I carry a couple of aspirin in my pocket and once the plane is in the air I swallow one. I feel this is especially important on long overseas flights to avoid leg problems.
If you do need to do laundry when traveling wring it as dry as possible by hand, then lay the article flat on a bath towel and roll tightly. Unroll and hang. It should be dry by morning.
I carry a small empty water bottle when traveling. I place it in the tray along with my plastic bag of liquids. Once through security I fill it from the water fountain. I always have water to take a pill or a drink when I'm thirsty.
Beware that European bath tubs are very deep and water is often scalding hot. Be careful especially if you have hip or knee problems.
If you're going to be gone more than a few days water your indoor plants well then cover with a large plastic bag tucking the edges well under the pot. If you use a laundry bag simply knot the area where the hanger protrudes. When you return your plants will be healthy and well.
In the largest print possible print your last name and hotel on a sheet of paper and place it on the top of your clothes before closing your suitcase. If your bag gets way laid hopefully it will make it to your hotel.
If you are the owner of the common black bag personalize it by adding various cut outs from colored duct tape. It will be easier to identify than if it carries a bit of ribbon.