In many parts of Australia, the nearest hospital isn't just down the road. It can be hundreds of kilometres away, beyond sealed roads, reliable phone coverage and easy access to essential services. For almost 100 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has existed to close that distance.
While the Flying Doctor’s is well known for its aeromedical retrieval services, much of the work happens on the ground. Every day, doctors, nurses, mental health clinicians and dentists travel vast distances to reach people who might otherwise go without care.
The RFDS retrieval service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering the finest care to more than 330,000 Australians each year — that’s one person every two minutes.
In Queensland, RFDS mental health teams are bringing care closer to home in rural and remote parts of the state, including in Cape York and Western Queensland. Whether consultations take place in a clinic, a community hall, a school or under the shade of a mango tree, the goal remains the same: ensuring people can access support close to where they live.
Last year the team delivered more than 13,410 mental health consultations across 35 regional, rural and remote communities providing counselling, psychological therapies, youth mental health support, disaster recovery assistance and community wellbeing programs.
For RFDS (Queensland Section) General Manager - Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll, bringing care closer to home is about working towards a future where no one feels they have to face their challenges alone.
"When someone is struggling with their mental health, distance shouldn't be the reason they miss out on support," Dr Driscoll said.
"We've seen firsthand the difference that accessible mental health care can make. It helps people stay connected to their families, their communities and their support networks, while giving them the confidence to seek help closer to home."
"The dedication of our clinicians is extraordinary. Many spend long hours on the road visiting remote communities because they know that every visit and every conversation has the potential to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life."
A similar commitment drives RFDS Primary Health Care teams in New South Wales (NSW).
From preventative health checks and chronic disease management to specialist outreach clinics, clinicians travel directly to communities where healthcare can be difficult to access. Building strong relationships and maintaining a visible local presence are vital to ensuring people receive consistent care.
Supporting these journeys is an Isuzu MU-X, provided through the Major National partnership between RFDS and Isuzu UTE Australia.
RFDS nurse, Kerri, has been doing the circuit around the Lightning Ridge area in outback NSW for years, and says it’s an honour working with these communities.
“People living in remote areas don’t always have access to health services within their communities,” says Kerri.
“But we think they deserve the best healthcare, just like everyone else. If it wasn’t for these clinics, many people would have to travel hundreds of kilometres to get the help they need.”
“We travel long distances, so it’s important to have a reliable vehicle like the MU-X as part of our mobile team,” says Kerri.
This Rural Health Month, we're recognising the clinicians, partnerships and supporters who go the distance every day to ensure rural and remote Australians can access the healthcare they need.
Because sometimes, bringing healthcare closer to home starts with being able to make the journey.
