Christmas Day and New Years Eve are traditionally very eventful for the RFDS with the teams at Broken Hill and Dubbo ready to respond to emergency calls on these days, and throughout the rest of the festive season.

“On Christmas Day last year, the flying doctor on duty at Broken Hill was kept busy with remote consultations, attending to people with toothaches, abdominal pain, allergic reactions, injuries and infections,” said RFDS Chief Medical Officer Dr Anne Wakatama.

“The Dubbo team also had a steady stream of obstetric cases as well as a seriously ill patient who was flown from Baradine to Sydney,” said Anne.

New Years Eve was just as eventful for the Flying Doctor, particularly for the Dubbo flight team who were called to the assistance of a family at Louth in far western NSW when their three month old baby started fitting.

“Family celebrations were cut short for the young family when their baby needed emergency care. The flight nurse on duty in Dubbo received the call just as the fireworks went off,” Anne said.

“It just goes to show that no matter when or where we are needed, the Flying Doctor will be there. It’s a tradition of care that we pride ourselves on and will continue to maintain for as long as the Flying Doctor keeps flying,” said Anne.

So this year while you’re enjoying your Christmas lunch or sipping champagne on New Years Eve, remember the hardworking team at the Flying Doctor who will be in the air and savings lives.

To make a donation to the RFDS (South Eastern Section), call 1800 444 788 or visit www.flyingdoctor.org.au