Does anyone have any information on air ambulances for 'critical' patients in nursing homes? From TAS to QLD?
My father in law suffered a major stroke in January of this year in Tasmania. He was in hospital until March and was then placed in a high care nursing home facility in a smaller town about 30 mins away from where he originated. My partner and I reside in Brisbane and before the stroke, my father in law was preparing his house to sell because he wanted to move to Brisbane to be with his son, as well as the fact that we are expecting our first child in July. He's expressed to my partner on numerous occasions that he did not want to spend another winter in Tasmania, and did not want to die alone on that island, or ever be entered into aged care. We've recently sold his house and the settlement has just gone through. My partner has power of attorney and we are currently responsible for paying his aged care bills. Since his major stroke, he has suffered another smaller stroke which has sent him into a dementia type state. Some days he's very responsive, other days not. He has lost all short term memory, and lost personality. He's an extremely intellectual man with a PhD in Indonesian, Masters in Education, a History and Political Science degree and half a Law degree. So it's quite devestating to see him deteriorate. We would like to have him transferred to another high care aged facility in Brisbane. It's his dying wish and he's currently alone. We've been told by his doctors that there's absoloutely no way that he'll ever be able to get on a commercial flight, and of course cannot be transported by car. The only way to have him transported to Queensland is through some type of Air Ambulance service that caters to 'critical patients'. We're aware that this can cost a fair amount of money (15k+) and are willing to pay it to get my father in law here, if not to see his son for the last time or his grandchild for the first. I'm looking for advice on what to do, we really don't know where to turn or how or what to enquire on. Are these private services, are they organised by hospitals, do we just ask the flying doctors. Thank you to anyone who can give me any useful information. Please include sources.
Other - Australia - 2 Answers
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1 :
To my knowledge the transfer is organised by the hospital. If you have been told by his doctors that there's absolutely no way that he'll ever be able to get on a commercial flight, I would think the air ambulance would not take on the responsibility of transporting him either. Speak to your own doctor about the situation, he should be able to advice you. Another idea is to enquire at your local senior citizen association, or a social worker at the public hospital in your area.
2 :
Contact the Tasmania Department of Health and Human Services 1300 135 513 they should be able to help you. If you don't get any help there contact Michelle O'Byrne Tasmanian Minister for Health http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/cabinet/michelle_obyrne
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