Mercy flight a relief for Albany mum and bub

Albany mother Tammy Martain experienced something last month that would fill every mother with dread — her four-month-old baby girl turned blue.

Her daughter Grace was making a strange noise at the end of each breath, and with the child’s complex cardiac history, Mrs Martain was terrified she was going to lose her. “Seeing your baby turn blue and struggling to breathe is terrifying,” she said.

“I was so scared of losing her.”

Mrs Martain tried to remain calms as she called an ambulance.

Her daughter, Grace, was taken to Albany Health Campus, put on oxygen and sent for a chest X-ray.

After liaising with the cardiac team at Perth Children’s Hospital, it was decided she needed an urgent transfer to Perth.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service flew them from Albany to Perth, where a stay in hospital and a series of tests revealed good news.

Now safe at home with her healthy daughter, Mrs Martain knows the difference the RFDS can make in an emergency.

“They are lifesavers,” she said.

“It’s great to know we have the RFDS if we need to get to the city for specialised medical assistance.

“We are so lucky to have these services available.

“Grace was turning on the charm for the doctor and nurse onboard. She seemed to enjoy her flight a lot more than me.

“The crew were all lovely and kept me calm.”