Pictures
of NETS in action.
| Clinical
Coordination Centre.
A call received from a referring doctor is 'conferenced' with a number of specialists for advice. The doctor only has to make one phone call. Up to 10 clinicians can participate in the call. A record of the call is is made - both on paper and on audio tape. |
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Conference
Call.
The call is conferenced with one of the NETS team. |
| Loading
into the Child Flight helicopter
The NETS team loading a neonatal transport system into the Child Flight helicopter. The brightly coloured helicopter is well known to the community. It is sometimes referred to as the "kiddies 'copter"! One in every 50 of the population will 'travel' with NETS at sometime during their infancy or childhood. |
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Equipment
Red drug and equipment boxes ready for use. Some of the extensive equipment used for children (from premature newborns through to teenagers) is shown in the background. |
| Intubation
A premature newborn is being intubated for treatment of respiratory failure. In this procedure, a plastic tube is placed through the vocal cords into the trachea (airway) and connected to a respirator machine. Once the procedure is completed, the baby will depend on a life-support system until the immature lungs are functioning adequately. Other babies and children require this procedure for a range of conditions; including septicaemia, cardiac failure and respiratory failure. |
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Paediatric
retrieval
A patient has been stablised using life support equipment located in a 'bridge' over the child's legs. The next step is to load the stretcher and bridge onto the waiting Child Flight aircraft. |
| International
retrievals
A NETS' intensive care module being loaded into a jet aircraft. NETS travels to countries around the Pacific rim to patients requiring it's specialised care. Either paediatric or newborn patients can be transported virtually unlimited distances with transport modules operating from aircraft power as well as having internal backup supplies. NETS has experience in using corporate jets such as the Cessna Citation, Beechjet, HS 125 and Falcon. Military aircraft such as C130 and commercial types (Boeing 747 and 767) are also utilised. |
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The temporary NETS' Base. A new building is planned which will integrate the Clinical Coordination Centre, Team facilities, vehicle base and helicopter hangar and helipad. This construction is expected to be completed by the year 2001. |
| Case review
each morning.
NETS staff review the cases for the previous 24 hours in a structured meeting. Difficult, interesting or problematic cases are set aside for inclusion in the weekly clinical case audit meeting. These meetings are held as follows:
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Views
of Sydney at dusk, taken while a NETS team was passing on a medical retrieval.
The Sydney Rocks area on the right (including the Overseas Passenger Terminal), Circular Quay on the left and the tall buildings of the central business district behind. A ferry can be seen making a white wake as it leaves the Quay. This is close to the commercial and business centre of Sydney.
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| A view of Sydney Harbour at sunset, looking westward toward the Sydney
Harbour Bridge with the Naval Dockyard and Sydney Opera House in the foreground.
The NETS Base is 25km west of the famous 'coat hangar' bridge, and is located at the demographic centre of Sydney. From this strategic location, NETS teams can reach all hospitals quickly and easily, by road, helicopter or fixed wing aircraft. |
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