The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is part of Australia’s larger health system and considered an essential service. We will not be closing during this national health crisis, and we will continue to provide vital emergency medical and primary health care services to rural and remote Australia -- even in areas with Federal and State protective restriction orders, the RFDS is categorised as an essential service and can still bring emergency medical services to those in need.

The RFDS deals with infectious diseases as a routine.  COVID-19 presents challenges in terms of potential volumes of patients needing care, however we are actively working closely with Federal and State Health Departments in preparation for coming weeks/months.

The RFDS has been transporting patients with confirmed COVID-19 and suspected COVID-19.  As pathology services are not available in most areas the RFDS serves, if a patient has the symptoms of COVID-19 and meets the criteria for testing (though testing results may not yet have been received), the patient is treated and transported as a suspected COVID-19 case. 

To keep our country townships and communities safe Australians should follow the advice of Chief Medical Officer, Brendan Murphy, who has advised people to avoid all non-essential domestic travel. The coronavirus pandemic will be tough on rural communities that have already been hit by bushfires and drought.

If you have questions about what the Corona Virus COVID-19 is, what the symptoms are, or how it spreads, you can learn more at the Department of Health website and Health Direct website.  The RFDS has factsheets on prevention, symptoms and what to do if you feel you may have COVID-19. These can be downloaded below.

If you have severe difficulty breathing, call 000 immediately, and advise if you think you may have come in contact with COVID-19.