Patients fly in for treatment

[okarol]

Patients fly in for treatment
Tracey Joynson | 15th January 2011

ISOLATED by floodwaters and needing another round of dialysis, Bidwill man Glynn Turner watched a helicopter land in his back yard on Monday morning.

It was there to evacuate him to Hervey Bay Hospital.

“They circled around the house twice and then settled down and told me to move back,” he said.

“I moved back and it blew my hat off.”

It was Mr Turner’s first helicopter ride and: “I quite enjoyed it, really.”

Another Maryborough patient on the same flight, Lola Munro, was not quite as happy with the trip.

“It was a bit frightening,” she said.

“I don’t want another one in a hurry.”

Ms Munro, who also needed dialysis, was picked up from a cul de sac in Little Tinana Estate.

They both need dialysis three times a week and usually travel to Hervey Bay Hospital by car but the swift rise of floodwaters on the weekend cut off that option.

Despite being uprooted from their homes and leaving behind their partners, they had nothing by glowing praise for the hospital and everyone involved.

“I need to say thank you to the kidney support group – they’ve been very helpful,” Ms Munro said.

“Everyone has been marvellous.”

Mr Turner said the hospital staff were dedicated people and Rotary Hospital House – where they were staying – was unreal.

“We’re the first in here,” he said.

“This is a five-star motel.

“They’ve looked after us top.”

Mr Turner and Ms Munro were keen to return to their homes but did not know how long it would be before floodwaters receded and they could leave Hervey Bay.

http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2011/01/15/patients-fly-in-for-treatment-hospital-helicopter/