RACQ LifeFlight Rescue will join other Queensland aeromedical service providers, as tenants of a state of the art ‘super base’, to be purpose built at Brisbane Airport.
LifeFlight’s commitment to the project was confirmed today (Fri 3rd) with the announcement by Queensland Treasurer Hon. Cameron Dick, that the Queensland State Government will contribute $10.4 million to assist LifeFlight to relocate and establish its Brisbane rotary and fixed-wing operations at the new center.
The Queensland Aeromedical Hub will become home to aircraft and crew from the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue fleet, alongside the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS), the government’s airwing (QGAir) and Retrieval Services Queensland (RSQ), which co-ordinates aeromedical services across the state on behalf of Queensland Health.
“This joint hub will be transformational for the aeromedical network in Queensland, housing our world-class service alongside our colleagues at RFDS and QGAir. To also have the strong and effective co-ordination of RSQ based at the same facility, will be integral to continuing smooth operation, as the demand for aeromedical services grows,” said LifeFlight Australia Deputy Chair Hon. Jim Elder.
“Today’s announcement is a fantastic outcome for the future and those who will benefit most, are the people of Queensland; especially those in remote and regional areas who rely on services such as ours to ensure they have access to the same levels of medical care, as those who live in our urban centers.”
The LifeFlight hangar will accommodate the unique combination of two medically configured Challenger 604 fixed wing aircraft and two highly advanced AW139 helicopters in a purpose-built hangar.
Quality crew quarters will ensure their round-the-clock rescue readiness, with rapid response times proven to lead to better health outcomes for patients.
The most significant feature of the planned multi-million-dollar hub, is a highly advanced patient transfer center, which will be able to cater to even the highest acuity patients.
It will be the equivalent of an emergency department, right next to where the aircraft land.
“The positioning of the transfer center is key to its success. It will be located centrally in the hub and easily accessible from the LifeFlight, RFDS and QGAir hangars, ensuring smooth, integrated treatment of patients, which will be vital if we are helping multiple people being airlifted from significant mass casualty events,” said Mr. Elder.
Support from the community and government are vital to charity service-providers.
“We are deeply grateful to the state government – the Premier, the Health Minister, the Treasurer and our colleagues at Queensland Health – for this generous support, which will enable us to turn this plan, which has been more than seven years in the making, into reality.”
This press release was prepared and distributed by RACQ LifeFlight Rescue.
