LifeFlight Bundaberg crews last year flew 304 critical missions valued at more than $3.8 million at no cost to patients.
The top five illnesses and injury types were:
- Cardiac conditions (45)
- Motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents: on/off road, quad bike and pedestrian (37)
- Search and rescue (28)
- Falls: animal, bushwalking/climbing, elderly, medical, other (26)
- Serious illness/infection (18)
The news came as work on a new aeromedical precinct at Bundaberg Airport nears completion.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said the $6 million project will provide a state-of-the-art facility to service the requirements of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and LifeFlight, which are based in Bundaberg and operate out of the airport.
“The new centre will ensure the best possible treatment for patients utilising these services as well as providing medical equipment storage areas and modern aircraft maintenance facilities,” he said.
The Bundaberg figures were part of another record year of saving lives throughout Queensland and around the world, with RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Air Ambulance jets, community helicopters and critical care doctors coming to the aid of 6508 people in 2019.
LifeFlight has a fleet of 10 helicopters operating out of seven bases across Queensland and three fixed wing Air Ambulance jets.
In 2019, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue’s community helicopters completed 2105 critical missions.
Between 1 January and 31 December last year, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue community helicopter crews provided urgent aeromedical care in a wide range of situations.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue’s Director of Aeromedical Services, David Donaldson, said the lifesaving helicopter service is seeing an increase year on year.
“Our aeromedical crews can deliver world-class care to Queenslanders in need, anywhere at anytime,” he said.
“We are always rescue ready.
“More than 2000 people have been airlifted by the community rescue helicopters. We’re extremely proud of that achievement.”
LifeFlight is a community-based charity funded and supported by the LifeFlight Foundation.
