Graphic: RFDS road patient transport service
Did you know that your Flying Doctor has launched a road patient transport service to complement its longstanding aeromedical services across South Australia?
The new Adelaide-based service, comprising a purpose-built RFDS Ambulance and a team of Patient Transport Officers, will primarily support the repatriation of rural, remote and regional patients back home following treatment in a metropolitan hospital.
In addition to providing these outbound hospital transfers from Adelaide, RFDS Operations Manager South and Central Australia, Anthony Pryzibilla, said the team is also on hand to support and respond to non-emergency ambulance transport requests from SA Ambulance Service.
“On average the RFDS flies 15 times a day across South Australia, including to regional locations such as Port Pirie and Mount Gambier, to transport patients to hospitals, as well as safely return them home,” he said.
“This new vehicle and team of dedicated professionals will help provide efficient and seamless transition from bed-to-bed while maintaining continuity of patient care.
“It is part of our ongoing commitment to support SA Ambulance Service, SA Health and ensure rural, remote and regional patients receive the best possible care.”
At a cost of $250,000, the new vehicle was financed solely by the RFDS’s own capital-raising through fundraising, bequests, corporate sponsorship and donations from all corners of the community.
A second RFDS Ambulance entered service in March 2022.
