Memorable moments for RFDS flight nurse

Susan Markwell has been flying with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) for more than 30 years, so there’s not much she hasn’t seen as a flight nurse and midwife.

But in a job where no two days are the same, Ms Markwell can recall a few memorable moments in the sky. Some include attending to high-pressure situations like snake bites, head injuries, horse falls and premature births.

And some were just conversations that underline the beauty of country Queensland.

During a recent night shift, Ms Markwell and an RFDS pilot were heading back to base after transporting a patient to Toowoomba around 2.00am.

They got chatting about their work with the RFDS service and childhood in the country.

Much to her amusement, they discovered Ms Markwell and the pilot had met once before when she had vaccinated him as a baby. As the only nurse working at the remote local clinic at the time, she was the first point of care for many in the community.

Ms Markwell’s story is not uncommon across Australia where nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing valuable health services.

New challenges each day

Each day brings a new challenge for these essential workers, but they continue to stand on the frontline caring for our communities and rapidly adapting to changing circumstances, like the coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the globe.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to show our appreciation for their dedication and hard work. Thank you for all you do.

The World Health Assembly has designated 2020 as International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, in honour of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, with May 5 being International Day of the Midwife, and May 12 International Nurses Day. The year aims to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives, highlight the challenging conditions they face daily, and advocate for increased investment in the nursing and midwifery workforce.

QSuper is a proud supporter of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section).

By investing in essential training for flight nurses, QSuper is helping to ensure they can continue to provide vital emergency and primary healthcare services for our members and all Queenslanders.