Navigating a health crisis with your child is challenging enough, let alone in remote parts of Queensland where access to essential services is difficult.
Two charities – one from the Sunshine Coast and another from Archerfield in Queensland – have teamed up in a collaboration set to save little lives.
Health foundation Wishlist and medical transport service Little Wings have joined forces to support children in remote areas access specialist treatment on the Sunshine Coast and receive free accommodation while there.
Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said the arrangement came about after a meeting at Wishlist’s 18-room accommodation facility Wishlist Centre which sits opposite the tertiary-level teaching hospital - Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
“When Little Wings reached out to me and I discovered young patients were being flown in to see our hospital specialists, I wanted to ensure these regional and remote families knew about accessing patient accommodation while they were here,” Ms Rowe says.
“With the State Government’s Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) – it means these young patients and a carer – can stay at a Wishlist accommodation facility close to the hospital free of charge.
“We are teaming up to offer comprehensive support to families in need – Little Wings providing free travel and Wishlist providing accommodation to remove the logistical and financial burdens that often accompany medical emergencies in remote areas.”
Little Wings, with its fleet of volunteer pilots and dedicated team, provides vital air and land transportation for children aged up to 18 living more than a three-hour drive from hospital.
Chief Operating Officer at Little Wings Katie McIntyre says: “Here at Little Wings, we are so excited about the collaboration between Little Wings and Wishlist”.
“Working together we can make a big difference to the lives of families with children who are seriously ill or injured and live far from the treating hospital. This means more families can be supported and more travel journeys eased for seriously ill children.”
In November 2022, Wishlist opened their third supported accommodation facility on the Sunshine Coast – Wishlist Centre - which has provided a vital lifeline for more than 870 families navigating a health crisis to date.
Run by dedicated volunteers, Wishlist Accommodation Manager Tracey Sobey says the facility plays a pivotal role in keeping families together during turbulent times.
“Families who aren’t from the Coast may not know that Wishlist Centre exists and that the PTSS usually covers the entire cost of stay, so we’d like to let families in regional Southeast Queensland know that we are here to help,” Ms Sobey says.
This collaboration represents a testament to the dedication of volunteers, the generosity of donors, and the unwavering determination to make a difference, no matter how challenging the circumstances.
Find out more about Wishlist Centre accomidation HERE or phone 1300 00 WISH to book.
