Lifeflight, QAS have precautions in place to transport Covid cases

LifeFlight was quick to hose down concerns that transporting Covid patients from the Wellcamp Covid quarantine hub to Brisbane Hospitals would endanger its staff.

LifeFlight and the Queensland Ambulance Service can transport Covid positive cases and protect staff at the same time

Both the Queensland Ambulance Service and LifeFlight are confident they can transport Covid-positive patients from the Wellcamp quarantine hub to Brisbane hospitals.

The clarification comes after concerns were raised that transporting Covid cases would be an unnecessary risk to health staff.

The 1000-bed facility will house international arrivals but the they will be transported to Brisbane for medical treatment or if they are declared a positive case.

A QAS spokesman said paramedics had been transporting positive cases since the pandemic started and had all necessary measures in place.

Similarly a LifeFlight spokeswoman said its aeromedical crews are ready.

“Over the last financial year, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue aeromedical staff safely transported 41 confirmed COVID-19 patients on behalf of Queensland Health,” she said.

“All of our frontline staff, including doctors, flight nurses, paramedics and aircrew are fully vaccinated.”

“Our aircraft are modified to transport positive and suspected positive COVID-19 patients, our safety protocols are second to none, all aeromedical crews are supplied with Personal Protective Equipment and our aircraft are professionally decontaminated, when necessary.

“LifeFlight Rescue has played a significant role in ensuring the Queensland Government has been able to deliver its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and help keep Queensland safe.”