Graphic: Santa hopping onto a plane
Australia-wide, last year between December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 26 (Boxing Day), the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) brought care to 278 people, with a range of illnesses and injuries.
Of these, 30 patients were emergency aeromedical retrievals, 241 were inter-hospital transfers where patients were flown between hospitals for specialized care, and happily, there were 7 repatriation flights to help patients get closer to home for the Christmas period.
In total, RFDS crews across the country made 198 flights, covered 170,505 kilometers and spent 543 hours in the air over the three days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Santa would have been proud.
As Australian’s take a well-earned break this Christmas, after a 2020 year that will not be quickly forgotten, the red-belly planes of the RFDS will also be in the air providing service to those that need it.
Whilst the pilots, doctors and nurses of the RFDS hope for a ‘Silent Night’, if something does go wrong, RFDS crews will be available 24/7 across the 7.69 million square kilometers of this large continent to ensure people get the help they need.
The RFDS want to thank all Australians for their ongoing support and trust, which enables them to continue the work they do – and they urge everyone to stay safe and take care this holiday period.
