Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013?

[sinophile888]

I flew on QF 653 last night from MEL -> PER via KGI. The deviation to KGI was due to a medical emergency over the Great Australian Bight. The pilot called for a medical doctor to assist with an ill passenger. Two doctors kindly offered and very soon after that we were diverted to KGI. Definitely, one of the doctors got off in KGI and possibly the other one as well.

It started me wondering how Qantas thank medical staff who assist in an emergency. Especially if the medical staff are prepared to disembark with the ill patient.

 

[mella2007]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

Sometimes it's just a thank you and nothing more. A doctor friend of mine was upgraded to J from Yplus for the remainder of an international leg... But that only happened to him once in prob 10 times or so he put his hand up to assist.

 

[docjames]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

It has ranged from nothing, to profuse thanks from the crew, to a bottle of wine in my experiences.

Never heard a thing from head office (despite in a few instances having my BP retained by the crew "for the paperwork").

I can't imagine a doctor in such a situation who wants something in return. And one who does is probably not a doctor you want helping you.

 

[Simo]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

I would assume that QF would organise them the next flight to PER.

If they had to Overnight I would assume QF would put them up.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

All doctors I know will do anything to helo someone in need and never want anything un return. Its important to kniw that sometimes things don't always go to plan and passengers can die on board. Those who assist are covered under thr good.samaritian act. Last thing we would want is a situation where its a reward and penalty system for doctors onboard.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

We have had a very similar thread to this a year or so ago.
My experience mirrors that of docjames ie. variable feedback and thankyou gifts. But I have had a written thankyou with travel voucher from QF at Mascot.

Would I expect anything?
No - apart from a thankyou from the cabin crew and (hopefully!) the recovering passenger.
If my trip was disrupted, via diversion or delay then I would expect the airline to re-book me on the next available flight.

 

[drron]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

Has happened to me twice on QF.Once given a bottle of wine and a 747 model for my son,though I did spend a lot of the time in Y with the pax instead of my J seat.Both times thanks from the crew,neither time any response from QF.
Once on JAL.Profuse thanks from crew with the CSM recognising me on a subsequent flight.Letter from the President of JAL with gift-no not a free flight but a Universal Translator.Was also told the patient had done well which was the most important part of the letter.

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

I flew on QF 653 last night from MEL -> PER via KGI. The deviation to KGI was due to a medical emergency over the Great Australian Bight. The pilot called for a medical doctor to assist with an ill passenger. Two doctors kindly offered and very soon after that we were diverted to KGI. Definitely, one of the doctors got off in KGI and possibly the other one as well.

It started me wondering how Qantas thank medical staff who assist in an emergency. Especially if the medical staff are prepared to disembark with the ill patient.

If they're diverting to KGI, you'd have to think the passenger was in pretty bad shape (not that much further to PER). One would think that QF would do the appropriate thing with any arrangements to continue their journey.

 

[alister]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

My mum delivered a baby on a flight to the uk once. She was a midwife. She got a lot of thanks and cards from the parents for a few years. All in a days work for her she didnt expect anything in return.

For example: If you help someone stuck at the side of the road you do it out of kindness and dont expect a reward. Some people just like to help, others just turn a blind eye.

Obviously if you are delayed or out of pocket then it would be nice for some compo but that all depends on the circumstances.

Happy travels..

 

[get me outta here]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

I have heard of a doc in my family who helped a woman (a nurse possibly), who was travelling w' babies from Asia somewhere to Aus. The babies were quite ill and coming in for treatment and the doc who was very keen to do the right thing was called on for most of the long trip to administer to the babies, but sadly one died in their arms.

I am aware that the doc in question who felt very upset at this for a long time afterwards, lost any chance of sleep on the flt (being young they were in Y) and got virtually no recognition of this from QF.

I just couldn't understand how one person was allowed on a flight by themselves w' very sick babies.

Apparently, this experience has soured the doc's tendency to volunteer first when called. If a number of docs put their hands up, they will go an assist, but not keen to take all that on by themselves any more.

 

[shearsense]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

Lots of Doctors on AFF. Will make me feel a lot more comfortable at the next AFF "Do" should I come a cropper.

 

[k_sheep]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

I've never been offered anything for assisting. On collegue managed a 6-month QP membership for assisting in a minor incident (ended up being a simple faint).

 

[get me outta here]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

I think a few first lounge invites would be a nice start too ... Other professions are not expected to donate hours of time and years of training and expertise.

 

[Happy Trails]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

Is there a doctor on the plane? Give them frequent-flyer points

Not overly generous though, just a measly 5000 points.


Is there a doctor on the plane? Give them frequent-flyer points - News & Advice - Travel - The Independent

An airline is offering frequent-flyer points to GPs who register their details so that in the event of an emergency they can be easily found.
Turkish Airlines has joined Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines in inviting medical practitioners to register their details in advance. While cabin-crew members receive first-aid training, they are not always comfortable conducting tests or administering drugs.

 

[sinophile888]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

Two doctors kindly offered and very soon after that we were diverted to KGI. Definitely, one of the doctors got off in KGI and possibly the other one as well.

A quick update on the unwell passenger.

I spoke to the lady this afternoon and she is fine. I hadn't met her but know her school aged children. Her condition was very low blood pressure combined with a history of a heart attack four years ago. The "doctor" who got off with her was not a doctor but her husband; the other doctor stayed on the flight. The lady is fine now; she flew on to Perth the next afternoon with her husband. I would have offered to help but didn't know the identity of the unwell passenger until earlier this week. A friend of her husband was also on the flight and took charge of the children. I did wonder why the two children seemed to be going to the toilet rather more than usual.

I am very pleased that everything worked out so well for her.

 

[Rox]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

What medical facilities do planes carry?

 

[docjames]

Re: Compensation for Medical staff who assist with an emergency on QF 653 on 4/5/2013

Depends on the airline but a wide range of emergency drugs and equipment. Most would have a defibrillator. Was certainly plenty in the QF 738 when I had to use the kit two years ago.

Maybe one for the Ask the cabin crew thread.