FLYING DOCTORS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 27, 31 July 1936, Page 9

FLYING DOCTORS

A NATIONAL SERVICE

AUSTRALIAN DECISION

The information that the authoi-ities I in Australia have decided to nationalise the "flying doctor" services was given to a "Post" reporter by Dr. C. F. Morkane, of Christchurch, who arrived-at Wellington from Sydney today by the Wanganella. I The service is to be under the conj trol of each State, and is to be subsidised by the Federal Government. Briefly, the scheme, as explained by Dr. McrKane, provides for the build- | ing of a base hospital in each central town where a flying doctor is stationed. la the more isolated areas, a cottage hospital in charge of nurses will be opened, and in the still more remote districts radio sets for receiving and transmitting calls will be set up. The whole system when in operation will cover Australia as no service unassisted by air and radio could do. By the interlinking of radio, landing fields, and hospitals, the services of a doctor will be available at all times. At present the "flying doctor" services are operating as a result of individual efforts. One of them is run by a missionary, others by doctors in outlying parts. It is the intention of the authorities to incorporate these in the new national service and to add to them. Dr. Morkane pointed out that it was not a necessary qualification for all doctors in the flying service to be qualified pilots. An aeroplane, probably of an ambulance type such as is in operation in New Zealand, and a pilot where necessary will be at the disposal of the doctor at each base ' aerodrome. j The result should be a smooth-run- j ning and efficient service in which ' speed, the greatest advantage of the | aeroplane over other types of communication, can be used to its utmost, benefit.