The RBWH ETC team members assisting with Afghan arrivals

The RBWH ETC team has been on the front line of providing care to Afghan evacuees as they arrive in Brisbane on repatriation flights.

A small team of three doctors and two nurses from RBWH alongside Metro North EOC and Queensland Children’s Hospital staff were based at the airport and responsible for triaging and providing vital healthcare to these people as they flee violence and persecution in Afghanistan.

The team assisted evacuees who were flown into Brisbane on several flights. Depending on the urgency of the situation, the evacuees were either transferred to the appropriate emergency department for further care or referred for follow-up in hotel quarantine.

RBWH Emergency and Trauma Centre Director Sean Rothwell said it was great to be part of a team that could provide a bespoke service at such short notice.

“It was very rewarding to play a small role in helping such a vulnerable group of people,” he said.

“They have been such a terrible ordeal to get here so it was great to be on hand to assist in any way we can.”

Well done to the team who have risen to the challenge to assist worldwide humanitarian efforts.