Mackney S1
1CareFlight
Biography:
Dr Sarah Mackney, is the Deputy Medical Director of CareFlight Northern Territory and an Emergency Physician at Royal Darwin Hospital. She relocated to Darwin in 2013, where she lives with her husband and three children. She has developed a broad clinical practice spanning emergency medicine, pre-hospital care, and critical care retrieval.
Working across both CareFlight and Royal Darwin Hospital, she has extensive experience delivering healthcare in geographically isolated and resource-limited settings. Dr Mackney provides clinical leadership in aeromedical operations and contributes to clinical governance and service development, with a focus on improving outcomes for remote and First Nations communities.
Abstract
Aims
To explore the clinical and operational challenges faced by aeromedical retrieval services during the wet season in Australia’s Top End, including the impact of cyclones, severe weather, infectious disease, and communities isolated by flooding.
Methods
Case-based review of aeromedical retrieval operations during the wet season in Northern Australia. The review examined operational planning and mission execution during periods of extreme weather, including cyclone preparedness, restricted flight windows, and access to flood-isolated communities. Clinical presentations common to the wet season, including severe infections such as melioidosis, were also examined. Emphasis was placed on coordination between aeromedical teams, remote clinics, and regional health services.
Results
Wet season conditions significantly affected retrieval operations. Cyclone preparations required careful operational planning, aircraft repositioning, and contingency planning for service continuity. Severe weather frequently limited flight availability and access to remote airstrips, while widespread flooding cut off road access to many communities. Clinically, increased presentations of severe infections such as melioidosis placed additional demand on retrieval services. Effective communication with remote health clinics, flexible mission planning, and close monitoring of weather conditions were critical to maintaining safe and effective retrieval operations.
Conclusions
The wet season presents a unique combination of environmental, logistical, and clinical challenges for aeromedical retrieval services in Northern Australia. Preparedness through cyclone planning, strong communication with remote healthcare providers, and adaptable operational strategies are essential to maintain access to critical care for isolated communities. Sharing these experiences highlights the importance of resilient retrieval systems capable of responding to seasonal extremes in remote environments.