AVIATION AND HEALTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19792, 12 November 1927, Page 8

AVIATION AND HEALTH.

NEW MEDICAL SERVICE.

AUSTRALIAN IBACKBLOCKS.

REACHING THE SETTLERS.

EXPERIMENT IN QUEENSLAND.

[from ODR IWN correspondent. ] SYDNEY. Nov. 3. ' Full details have been announced of the Australian Inland Mission's scheme to provide aerial medical services for settlers in the outback spaces of Australia. One of the greatest hindrances to settlement of areas far removed from tho convenience of the cities has been the knowledge of those engaged in developmental work that they are remote from medical aid when it is urgently needed. This, more than anything else, has discouraged married men from settling outback, for it has meant either ,that they must leave their families in the cities or expose them to risk of illness or accident with no medical attention at hand. To remove this fear has been one of tho manifold aims of the Australian Inland Mission, which has already done so much by establishing hospitals and nursing centres in the outback to succour the sick and care for the injured. However perfect such an organisation as that of the mission might have been, it has frequently been rendered impotent by the vast distances which its services, if it is to operate, 100 per cent, effectively, must cover. With the advent of air travel, the mission's officials were quick to realise its importance to their work, recognising how the annihilation of distance by this means •would simplify their greatest, problem, j'or ten years it has been their dream , to establish in the "Never Never " an aerial medical service capable of touching the most remote areas of settlement. Tnafc dream is now on the verge of realisation. Service to Begin Next Year.

In a few months, probably on April 1, will begin an experiment extending for .» year, wh'ich will test to the full the practicability and possibilities of establishing a chain of aerial medical services that will touch practically every part of the back blocks of the continent and link them up within a lew hours' journey to the nearest hospital and ambulance ser-

vices. ; __ The arena of this experiment is North Queensland, Cloncurry, which has been chosen as a base of operations, will join the centre of a circle with a radius of 300 miles. Within this area are patches of country over which aeroplanes will not be able to operate for some time owing to its rough and mountainous nature, involving too great expense in the provision of laliding grounds. Notwithstanding, it js hoped to provide for "iife-and-death" flights westward and southward far exceeding 300 mites. It is thought that a mantle of safety will be cast over an area exceeding 250,(XX) square miles—nearly as large as the whole of New South Wales.

Details ol the Scheme. A perniaaent doctor will be employed, and an aeroplane, properly fitted for jambulance service, will be provided by Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, Ltd., who will also supply the pilot. The 'plane will have accommodation for the doctor, a nurse and one patient. The particular services to be rendered by the doctor will include attending to accident and other urgent cases, giving first aid on the spot, and, if advisable, transporting patients by air to the nearest suitable hospital, making periodical tours to districts at present beyond the range of ordinary existing services and being available, if desired, for consultation with .isolated local doctors.

Those in charge ol' local ambulance and other medical services have expressed ■willingness to co-operate with the air service and ambulances will transfer patients from landing grounds to the nearest hospitals. The service will be available to all, irrespective of financial position.