The Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) is here for our Far West communities as this significant wet weather continues. We know many people are dealing with difficult conditions, and we want to reassure everyone that we’re doing everything we can to keep healthcare accessible and reliable.
We will continue running our primary healthcare clinics wherever it’s safe. If the weather makes travel or landing unsafe, we’ll switch to telehealth, so you can still get the care you need without having to leave your home or property.
As many in the region know well, heavy rain can quickly make dirt airstrips unusable, and this event is no exception. Our teams are working closely with emergency services and health partners to stay updated on which airstrips are open and accessible, so we’re ready to respond to emergencies even as conditions change.
We’re in regular contact with local first responders right across the impacted areas. Their on‑the‑ground insights, combined with the latest weather information, help us make the safest decisions for our patients, our crews and our communities.
If any clinics need to change, we’ll reach out directly to let you know.
We’d also like to remind Medical Chest Custodians to keep their chests in a dry and easy‑to‑reach spot, and to call 1800 DRS FLY for advice before using anything inside.
The SES have increased their presence in the area and are well resourced to respond to requests for assistance, including resupply of essential medical, food and water supplies.
Our mental health team is also just a phone call away. With some properties and communities already isolated – and others likely to become so – please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Broken Hill Wellbeing Place on 08 8080 3700 (9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday). We know this kind of weather can be stressful, and you don’t have to manage it alone.
Alternatively, there are a range of emergency and 24/7 resources below:
- Emergency help call 000
- 24/7 Lifeline 13YARN call 13 92 76
- 24/7 NSW Health Mental Health Crisis Line call 1800 011 511
- 24/7 Experiencing violence 1800RESPECT call 1800 737 732 or SMS 0458 737 732
Most importantly, we hope everyone stays safe and well. The RFDS is right here with you, and we’ll continue supporting our communities every step of the way.
