The flying medics providing a lifeline for Australians in need

As we move into peak travel season, more Australians will be travelling overseas – and with that comes the unfortunate reality that some will require urgent medical care away from home.

For those who find themselves in dire medical situations, safe and swift repatriation is crucial. Retrieval Medics International, an Australian company specialising in medical repatriation, steps in to provide these critical services, offering what are essentially flying intensive care units that bring patients and their loved ones back home with the quality of professionalism and care they would receive in Australia.

Retrieval Medics managing director Ethan Dooley: The firm operates with a 50-strong team to deliver airborne intensive care around the globe.

Since its founding in 2018, Retrieval Medics has grown from a small operation into a lifeline for hundreds of Australians each year. Managing director Ethan Dooley says that the early days came with substantial challenges.

“Our service is unique – we bring Australians home when they need it most,” says Dooley. “It’s a high-pressure environment because we’re dealing with people in vulnerable situations.”

Retrieving patients from unfamiliar healthcare systems and overcoming language barriers can amplify the anxiety for patients and their families. “Helping them get home safely is rewarding,” Dooley says, “but as demand grew, so did our need to manage that growth financially.”

From just 10 team members initially, Retrieval Medics now operates with a dedicated team of at least 50, delivering flying intensive care to locations worldwide.

“We started aiming for just one retrieval per month and we’re now handling several cases each week,” says Dooley.

“Managing the business peaks financially can be challenging, especially during high-travel seasons because sometimes there might be high outgoing costs in a busy week to provide our service and it can take time for payments to come back in to match up with those costs.”

To address these needs, Retrieval Medics started using the Flexible Payment Option (FPO), available through their American Express business charge card.

This feature allows them to handle cash flow fluctuations without relying on additional loans or applying for credit lines.

“During peak travel times, like the European summer, the volume of cases spikes,” says Dooley. “The Flexible Payment Option feature gives us the flexibility to spread out payments, align outgoing costs with incoming funds, and confidently take on more missions.”

This flexibility has supported their ability to keep growing and ensure they can meet operational demands. “We’re able to focus on our mission without worrying about liquidity, even in our busiest periods,” says Dooley.

Kiely Potter, vice president of commercial account development and client onboarding at American Express, says managing cash flow is one of the toughest aspects of business growth, especially for smaller companies.

“Small businesses can face added strain as they navigate growth, seasonal peaks and unexpected costs,” says Potter.

“Flexible Payment Option is designed to offer a built-in line of credit, helping businesses handle these ebbs and flows without immediate repayment pressure, making it easier to handle growth phases and manage unexpected expenses.”

Businesses can choose to pay their balances fully or manage cash flow by paying off a portion of their balance over time (up to a limit), though unpaid balances accrue interest.

Looking forward, Dooley sees Retrieval Medics continuing to expand its reach. “As we grow, it’s reassuring to know we have the financial flexibility to support our vision of providing world class care for Australians who need it, because Australians bringing Australians home is very powerful,” he says.

American Express Business Charge Cards offer an in-built Flexible Payment Option to allow the financial flexibility small business owners need to manage cash flow. This instant line of credit means you can take on the next big opportunity with peace of mind that your business can manage the growth period. It’s just one of the many ways that American Express backs your business.

Terms and conditions apply. American Express income and credit approval criteria applies.