Emergency fund aids families of critically ill young people

PDH and Portland Aluminium, under its Partnering Stronger Communities initiative, have joined forces to create an emergency transfer fund, believed to be the first of its kind.

The fund will provide money for accommodation and/or return airfares to immediate family members of younger patients who have been transferred from Portland to Melbourne.

PDH Chief Executive John O’Neill said the new fund would be invaluable for helping families to stay together during times of need.

“While PDH’s Emergency Department provides high quality care and effective, safe specialised treatment for all patients, a number of critically ill patients require transfer to another hospital for further treatment,” Mr O’Neill said, and that could sometimes result in immediate family members being separated from their loved ones.

“There are many times with younger patients where one parent may be able to travel by air with their child but the remaining immediate family members have to travel by road when they are stressed and vulnerable.

“It is a four hour road trip to Melbourne, but having access to potential flights or accommodation will be of great benefit to families.

“We expect there will be a lot of demand for this great service” Mr O’Neill said.

Already working in partnership with the hospital through Deakin University’s Centre for Rural Emergency Medicine PA Operations Manager John Osborne said the smelter was always looking to add value in the community through its partnering stronger communities program.

“Safety is a core value for PA and we recognise that when families are faced with uncertainty it can be a very emotional burden and stressful time.  To be able to take some of that away from them will play a small but significant role” he said.

“We are extremely pleased to support the fund through the PA Safety League, an internally based program where our employees raise money through an AFL-based season of safety rounds.  In essence, the safer we work the more funds raised for the partnership, it is definitely a win-win for everyone.  I know it has been very motivation for our employees.” He added.

Sharp Aviation has supported the program with discounted airfares for people using the transfer fund.

Mr O’Neill and Mr Osborne said they were not aware of any similar community/hospital joint programs.

The fund will be available for use by one family member/guardian of an 18 year old or under patient who is transferred to a Melbourne hospital for inpatient specialist care.

The fund can be used to pay for a flight from Portland to Melbourne, taxi or hire car services and accommodation.

Suitable applicants will be identified by hospital staff and approved by the Emergency Department nurse in charge.

Story by PORTLAND OBSERVER