CareFlight expands lifesaving education programs across regional and remote NSW through Mounties Care partnership

CareFlight

Following the sponsorship extension for a further five years between Mounties Care and CareFlight, the aeromedical charity is expanding its community education offering across New South Wales.

In addition to its highly sought-after Trauma Care Workshops, CareFlight will now deliver its Infant Care Workshop (ICW) and Sick and Injured Kids in the Bush (SIKITB) programs to regional, rural and remote communities across the state.

Developed by the clinical team behind the Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter, the mobile, evidence-based programs are designed to assist participants, helping them to better diagnose and treat seriously ill and injured infants and children who are a long way from hospital and the health care they need.

CareFlight’s Infant Care Workshop equips new parents and carers with essential lifesaving skills to manage common infant health concerns and emergencies. Whereas the Sick & Injured Kids in the Bush course, which is designed for Registered Nurses, Emergency Nurses, Paramedics and Doctors working in remote, rural and challenging environments develops practical skills for responding to critically unwell infants and children, including assessment, fluid management, intraosseous access, cardiac arrest, neonatal resuscitation, and trauma through high-fidelity simulation and scenario-based training.

Speaking to the importance of these courses and the impact they can have on communities Margarita Obeid, Head of Operations - Education and Training, said "The first few minutes in an emergency can be the difference between life and death. CareFlight’s education programs, made possible thanks to funding from Mounties Care, build confidence and skills that may significantly enhance the long-term outcome of patients.

“Dealing with sick or critically injured children is challenging, especially in remote, rural and regional communities where access to specialist care can be limited. Providing practical training and scenario-based learning is vital to improving outcomes for newborns and children, and ensuring families and healthcare professionals feel supported when caring for young patients."

Each workshop is delivered by a team of highly skilled nurses and paramedics who are passionate about building capacity in communities to ensure adults and children experiencing illness or injury are given the best possible chance of recovery.

Dale Hunt, CEO at Mounties Group, said "It is an honour to provide local communities with training through the partnership with CareFlight: “Mounties Group and Mounties Care exist to improve the lives of its members and the communities in which they live. Our members made it possible for us to provide CareFlight with the funds necessary to provide this vital, lifesaving education. In these emergency situations, the first responders need to know how to sustain a life. Appropriate treatment during this time significantly improves the outcome of the patient. CareFlight is a lifeline to Australian communities, and we’re pleased that Mounties Care can be the lifeline for CareFlight.”

The first courses to take place as part of the partnership will be held in Broken Hill and Wilcannia this month, and details can be found below.

Broken Hill

• 15 October | University Department of Rural Health, 259 Morgan Street, Broken Hill
  • Sick and Injured Kids in the Bush (SIKITB), 8:00am to 12:00pm
  • Infant Care Workshop (ICW), 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Wilcannia

• 16 October | Wilcannia Hospital, 9 Ross Street, Wilcannia
  • Sick and Injured Kids in the Bush (SIKITB), 8:00am to 12:00pm
  • Infant Care Workshop (ICW), 2:00pm to 4:00pm

• 17 October | RFS Wilcannia 84 Reid Street, Wilcannia
  • Trauma Care Workshop (TCW), 8:00am to 4:00pm

Bookings are essential. To register interest in participating in these or upcoming courses, please email [email protected]

For further information on the courses, visit https://careflight.org/our-work/education-training/community-training-careflight-medisim/.