News

Graphic: RFDS patient Robert Crilly

When ritual meets rescue: Robert's story

27 May 2023

During a cultural ceremony in outback South Australia, Robert was struck by a sudden illness, sparking deep concern among family and friends. In need of urgent medical help, he was hundreds of kilometres from the nearest major hospital.

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Lieutenant Clifford Peel – Providing a Blueprint for the RFDS

12 Jun 2017

In 1917, Flynn received an inspirational letter from Lieutenant Clifford Peel, a Victorian medical student with an interest in aviation. The young airman and war hero suggested the use of aviation to bring medical help to the Outback. Shot down in France, he died at just 24 years of age and never kn

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Hear, hear! RFDS is delivering hearing assessment services to rural parts of Queensland

Hear, hear! RFDS is delivering hearing assessment services to rural parts of Queensland

09 Jun 2017

Residents of rural and remote Queensland will be delighted to hear the news that the RFDS (Queensland Section) will soon be offering a free hearing screening service.

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mental health services

Country mental health access a fifth the rate of city

02 Jun 2017

New research reveals remote Australians die on average from suicide at twice the rate of city people, yet are only able to access mental health services at a fifth of the rate of city people.

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Health Workforce

Strengthening Indigenous health workforce will help Close the Gap

29 May 2017

Creating more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals to develop skills through clinical placements will help foster cultural safety in health care services.

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RFDS Local Hero Award Recipients Announced

17 May 2017

The hidden heroes behind the Flying Doctor have been honoured.

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Four years of oral health partnership

23 Mar 2017

​The QCoal Community Dental Service, operated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), is celebrating its fourth anniversary.

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A long ride west

20 Mar 2017

I wanted to raise some funds but also, and probably more importantly, I wanted to raise awareness of the issue.

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A shock to the system

10 Mar 2017

​There he lay, white and lifeless, a nurse already performing CPR. And there was Michelle Low Mow, fuelled on little more than adrenaline, a defibrillator in one hand and an oxygen tank in the other.

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Help the Flying Doctor find their hidden heroes

08 Mar 2017

​The RFDS Local Hero Awards has launched and Queensland residents are encouraged to nominate those outstanding members of their community who tirelessly and selflessly support the work of the Flying Doctor in their region.

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Flight Nurse Fleur

08 Mar 2017

If you’re in the middle of a paddock with the doctor and a very sick patient you don’t have time to faff around. Every second counts.

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New simulator makes Royal Flying Doctor Service training vision a reality

28 Feb 2017

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) pilots will now have greater access to world-class simulator training with the launch of a new aviation training centre on the Sunshine Coast.

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Smooth landings in Flying Doctor’s future

17 Feb 2017

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) has welcomed the Federal Government’s latest round of funding to upgrade crucial, remote airstrips throughout Australia.

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RFDS Drought Wellbeing Service: Cultivating wellbeing through the seasons

09 Jan 2017

In April 2015, the RFDS was tasked with delivering wellbeing support into rural communities impacted by one of the worst droughts in decades. Drought Wellbeing Service Coordinator, Allira Power explains how the service has been received and what comes next for those hit hardest.

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RFDS Field Days: A day to remember

03 Jan 2017

Operating since 2001, the RFDS Field day program was set up with the goal of promoting the benefits of health and wellbeing to people living in remote areas of far north Queensland. Judith Taylor, Health Promotion Officer - RFDS Field Days, explains why these days are crucial to our service.

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Stethoscope

New rural primary health services announced

20 Dec 2016

Primary Health Tasmania has commissioned the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Tasmania and a consortium of local Government Councils to deliver improved health outcomes in the municipalities of Dorset, Break O’Day, George Town and Flinders Island.

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