Doctors flying visits

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? Dr Mills at Pacific Haven.

Mark Pearce

HERVEY Bay doctor Kevin Mills has a unique practice. He does house calls.

That may not sound unusual but this intrepid medico jumps into his Jabiru two-seater plane based at Hervey Bay Airport and flies himself and his medical kit bag to Pacific Haven Airpark.

There he keeps a motorbike at a friendly resident’s house to scoot around and see each needy patient in the area.

This regular service has been operating since last year.

It quickly resulted in an early diagnosis of cancer that would have otherwise gone undetected.

“I have been doing house calls since 1988, mostly on weekends during my time off from the practice,” says South African-trained Dr Mills.

This arrangement has been made possible through the piloting skills and determination of Dr Mills and the goodwill of residents from the airpark.

The Pacific Haven Airpark, 12km north of Howard, is privately owned, operated and maintained by its residents and has been for more than 25 years.

Although no financial contribution is made from any other source for the purpose, the airpark throws open its gates in times of civic need, free of charge.

The residents pay for the maintenance as well as the usual land rates and taxes.

A variety of aircraft operate from there.

Apart from residents’ aircraft that range from micro-lights to Russian fighter-trainers, defence force Caribou and Hercules aircraft have also flown in and can provide flood and cyclone relief.

Emergency helicopters are regular visitors for the transfer of road accident victims and other locals in need.

Because it’s close to the Burrum River, firefighting aircraft also use the airpark.

Pilots in distress such as those caught in bad weather have been other grateful guests.