Posted on July 20, 2021
Central Highlands Regional Council has given in-principle support to the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s (RFDS) plans for constructing a patient transfer pod at the Emerald Airport.
In-principle support means that the RFDS can explore funding partners and move the project along from the concept stage. The final project will still be subject to planning processes, approvals, relevant consultations and funding.
The RFDS plays an important part in delivering health services and patient transport to people in the Central Highlands.
The concept plans presented to council include a small building with an ambulance drive-through on one side and airfield exit on the other side.
Instead of waiting in the aircraft or ambulance, patients would be waiting in the pod for the next leg of their journey, increasing their comfort and improving operations for RFDS staff.
Image supplied by the Royal Flying Doctor Service as seen in the agenda for the General Council Meeting on 14 July 2021.