Twenty-four hours before the largest storm to ever cross the Australian coast made landfall, Queensland Health made the decision to evacuate the existing Cairns Base Hospital. All patients who could be discharged were and all patients except for emergency medical cases were suspended. In all, 205 patients including 10 intensive care cases needed to be airlifted out of Cairns.

APP were first on the site at the main Staging Area. We took over the International Terminal at the Cairns airport and with a team of local contractors turned the Arrivals Hall into a makeshift ward. The evacuation process involved cooperation with State and Federal Police, the Queensland Ambulance Service, the State Emergency Service, the Royal Australian Air Force as well as local staff from both the hospital and the airport.

By 6am the largest medical evacuation in Australia’s history was complete. APP’s time and services involved in the evacuation were provided on a voluntary basis.