Two flights in six days for baby Blaire
When the RSV virus started circulating around the Westport community in September 2025, Lyndal Watson was worried.
When the RSV virus started circulating around the Westport community in September 2025, Lyndal Watson was worried.
“I knew if Blaire got RSV, she would be hospitalised. We did everything we could to keep her safe. We even took our older son out of daycare to try to lower the risk of coming into contact with the virus,” Lyndal says.
Seven-month-old Blaire had only recently visited Christchurch Hospital for a heart scan – such check-ups are common for the West Coast family as Blaire was born with Noonan Syndrome, a genetic condition that can affect the heart.
“Blaire had been healthy since we’d been home from hospital, but as soon as she got a runny nose, I had a feeling RSV had caught up with us,” Lyndal says.
The runny nose turned into a raspy cough. A trip to Westport Hospital confirmed it was RSV. They suggested the family drive an hour and a half south to Greymouth Hospital as they were worried that if Blaire’s condition deteriorated, it would happen quickly.
It was 3 am on a Tuesday morning when Blaire went downhill.
“Our tiny girl was working far too hard just to breathe. They put her on oxygen and wanted to get her to Christchurch Hospital as soon as possible. That’s when the NZ Flying Doctor Service was called.”
Despite being hampered by bad weather, the NZ Flying Doctor plane touched down in Greymouth later that morning. Blaire spent two nights in Christchurch Hospital before being discharged, with the family driving back to Westport.
Little did they know, they were going to be seeing the NZ Flying Doctor crew again.
“We got home on a Thursday and on Friday I was back at the doctor in Westport. People thought she was fine, but I just had a feeling – call it mother’s intuition. She wasn’t eating or drinking and so I wasn’t surprised that we ended up back at Greymouth Hospital by Saturday afternoon.”
At Greymouth Hospital doctors put Blaire on oxygen and inserted a nasogastric tube for nutrition.
“Before we knew it, the wonderful NZ Flying Doctor team was back again, loading us gently on board for another flight to Christchurch so Blaire could get the high level of care she desperately needed.”
After three days in Christchurch Hospital, the family was discharged. This time Lyndal was confident Blaire was well enough to go home and be reunited with her two big brothers, aged two and five.
“I feel like Blaire doesn’t do anything by halves. We get monitored every three months in Christchurch and just take every day as it comes.”
Lyndal says they are so grateful to know the NZ Flying Doctor Service, and its sister service the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, is there.
“Living in Westport and being so far away from high level medical care used to scare me, but the NZ Flying Doctor Service has given me the reassurance that if we have to get to Christchurch quickly, they will get us there.
“We are endlessly grateful for the skill, kindness, and reassurance of everyone on the NZ Flying Doctor plane who cared for us. We will never forget their warmth and professionalism, or the way they made our little girl’s first flying adventures feel safe and even a little bit magical.”