Bankstown Base

Graphic: Bankstown Base

A growing service. More patient transportation from our Bankstown base

Date published

06 Apr 2022

Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) (RFDSSE) has expanded aeromedical operations from our Bankstown base in a bid to increase Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) capacity between regional NSW and Sydney.

Increased hours for Non-Emergency Patient Transport services have also been met with the recruitment of additional pilots and registered nurses. 

The expansion of our existing Bankstown aeromedical NEPTs capacity is being supported by a B350 King Air Fusion aircraft running at additional hours spanning over a period of 14 hours per weekday and building on our existing Healthshare NEPT services.  Operation of these two shifts is 10:00am-6.00pm and 4.00pm to 12:00am AEDT - commenced on the week of 24th January 2022. 

The service is supported by our colleagues, including pilots, registered nurses, and ground assistance through our team of NEPT drivers. 

The B350 King Air Fusion aircraft is equipped with an aeromedical interior capable of all types of inter-hospital transfers, allowing our colleagues to move patients to and from the state capital’s world-class hospitals or to get them home recovering long-term. 

RFDSSE General Manager Operations and Service Delivery, Claudio Grasso, said this is welcome news for our regional communities as the expansion provides increased essential aeromedical services for those that need it most, on behalf of HealthShare. 

“This holistic, integrated operation with RFDS expertise from our pilots, nurses and supporting operations centre, means more efficient and high-end medical services,” Mr Grasso said. 

Senior Base Pilot and Team Leader for Bankstown Base, Ben Hinton, said the expansion gives RFDSSE an excellent opportunity to further establish itself in the Sydney-Metro area. 

“It is an exciting opportunity for the Flying Doctor to expand operations at Bankstown, while continuing its support of traditional services out west,” Mr Hinton said. 

“NEPTs are a vital service between major and remote and hospitals, and the expansion allows patients to be closer to home while recovering.”