News

John Flynn Private Hospital packs essential first aid for flood victims

Mar 10, 2022

John Flynn Private Hospital on the Gold Coast has put together 200 first aid packs featuring essential medical equipment for victims of the recent rain and flooding on Australia’s east coast.

The 200 first aid packs, worth $5,000 will be distributed through the Mullumbimby donation centre to flood victims in Lismore and Murwillumbah. 

John Flynn Private Hospital CEO, Adam Stevenson, said the packs were created after hospital staff volunteering with flood recovery noticed a shortage of important first aid supplies. 

“A number of our team, including our ICU doctors, have been volunteering at flood sites and reported essential first aid supplies were getting dangerously low,” Mr Stevenson said. 

“Cleaning up damaged property, stagnant water and debris can all lead to injuries and potentially dangerous infections. It’s important anyone physically hurt as a result of the weather event attend to their injuries as soon as possible. 

“This isn’t possible without access to proper first aid.

“Jo Mitchell, our Director of Clinical Services, who has a background with the defence force, came up with the idea and putting together first aid packs similar to what they had used for basic field operations. We set up a room in the executive area of the hospital with all the supplies and staff came through in their breaks filling the 200 packs.” 

The first aid packs are made up of essentials including betadine, wound dressings, tape, saline, bandages, scissors, gloves, hand gel, band aids, paracetamol, ibuprofen and more.    

“There is so much devastation it is hard to know what to do or how to help, but I think this a great way we can support the community with simple but really important supplies,” Mr Stevenson said.