Little Wings soars on back of $800k government boost

• The Miles Government is delivering $800,000 towards a new aircraft for Little Wings.
• The not-for-profit organisation provides vital transport for rural and regional families, helping children access medical care across Queensland.
• The new aircraft will increase the number of transport services, helping more families needing specialist treatment where there are not nearby suitable facilities.

The Miles Government is making moves to ensure more Queensland kids have better access to vital healthcare, providing $800,000 to Little Wings towards the purchase of its fifth aircraft.

Thousands of Queensland families have benefited from the free medical transport service each year, and this additional aircraft will enable an extra 800 missions in Queensland annually.

The non-profit service provides free and safe flights and ground transport services for seriously ill children who may not have ready access to suitable facilities.

The volunteer-led organisation conducts around 2,200 missions a year, supporting more than 5,000 families in Queensland, NSW, and the ACT.

The funding will also allow Little Wings to expand its Medical Wings program for children, which delivers pop-up clinics in partnership with local hospitals, medical centres, health clinics and immigration centres.

Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) is part of the Medical Wings program, which provides free transport to and from medical appointments and treatment for children living in rural and remote areas.

Little Wings and CHQ signed a memorandum of understanding in early 2024 which will ensure a smooth transition of referral for seriously ill children receiving treatment at the hospital and residing regionally.

This investment highlights the Miles Government’s commitment to improving access to great-quality healthcare for Queenslanders, no matter where they live.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“The Little Wings team do incredible work making sure young Queenslanders can get the life-saving treatment they need, no matter where they live.

“That’s why I’m thrilled we’re supporting them with this funding boost, so that Queensland families can benefit from hundreds of extra flights each year.

“The Miles Labor Government us committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all Queensland kids and will continue to invest to make sure they can access the great-quality healthcare they need when they need it.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Algester Leeanne Enoch: 

“The Miles Government’s investment is breaking down barriers to healthcare for families across our vast state.

“The dedication and compassion of the Little Wings team is inspiring, and I am excited to see the positive impact this new aircraft will have on the countless children and families that will benefit over the coming years.”

Quotes attributable to Chief Executive Officer Little Wings Ms Clare Pearson:

“Little Wings works every day to rebalance the inequities that exist in healthcare across Australia, connecting seriously ill or injured children in regional and remote locations with the ongoing healthcare that they need and deserve to truly thrive.

“So, to have the support of the Queensland Government, and specifically the Minister of Health, Shannon Fentiman, is a lifeline for so many children across Queensland.

“On behalf of our entire team at Little Wings, are so grateful for this offering, a one-off grant that will enable us to purchase an aircraft and provide free, direct and ongoing access to life-saving medical treatment that is only available in major cities to 800 children annually across the state of Queensland.

"The one-off grant from Queensland Health will go towards purchasing an aircraft to help increase the number of transportation services it can provide each year.

“The volunteer-led organisation conducts around 2200 missions per year, supporting over 5,000 families in Queensland, NSW and the ACT.

“Thanks to the grant, Little Wings can increase its fleet from four to five aircraft and conduct an additional 800 missions per year in Queensland alone.”

Quotes attributable to Children’s Health Queensland Chief Executive Director Strategy, Planning, Improvement and Innovation Adrian Clutterbuck:

“Children’s Health Queensland is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people through world-class care, and our strong partnerships help us do that.”

“Our partnership with Little Wings will allow us to achieve the best possible health outcomes for Queensland’s sickest children, and through remote regional clinics, continue to deliver person-centred care to all Queensland families closer to home.”

ENDS
Media contact – healthmedia@ministerial.qld.gov.au