On the front line: Bettina

Bettina’s interest in RFDS started early. Her parents were long-time supporters of the organisation and keenly followed its work – while Bettina fell in love with the original The Flying Doctors TV show, which would screen after school.

So, in many ways, it’s no surprise that she ended up pursuing a career in paramedicine, and now works out of the RFDS’s Mitcham branch.

As an Ambulance Transport Attendant, Bettina typically works alongside a Patient Transport Officer to assess patients and get them to hospital. It’s a role that requires vast amounts of clinical knowledge, while also needing to be able to assess any potential dangers, and communicate effectively with the patient, their relatives, bystanders and hospital staff.

Ensuring the patient feels comfortable is important to Bettina, with different people needing various types of care.

“Sometimes I sit next to them and hold their hand. Other times we sit there talking about older times,” she says.

“That helps if they’re anxious.”

Bettina has even had a client request some “car karaoke” to feel at ease – something which she happily obliged.

“A lady wanted us to put on some ABBA. She was singing on the way to the hospital - which was great!” she recalls.

With COVID-19 making everyone
anxious, these little touches of kindness
and care are especially important to
Bettina and her team – particularly
when their faces are obscured by PPE.

“People can get a little bit scared,” says Bettina.

“You have to protect and reassure the patient, while making sure my partner and I are safe as well.”

While infection control has always been a crucial part of Bettina’s day, COVID-19 means that extra decontamination measures are in place for every transport. Despite this added stress, Bettina says that staff have quickly become accustomed to the new normal, working hard to make sure the experience is still filled with care and compassion for the patient.

It’s this caring approach that generates many a warm reception to the RFDS logo.

“You feel so proud being with the RFDS – it’s such a great honour. Everybody greets us with a smile,” says Bettina.

“I love being part of the culture. I think it’s the best thing ever and I love it!”

With COVID-19 making everyone anxious, these little touches of kindnessand care are especially important to Bettina and her team – particularly when their faces are obscured by PPE.

With COVID-19 making everyone
anxious, these little touches of kindness
and care are especially important to
Bettina and her team – particularly
when their faces are obscured by PPE.