The RFDS in NSW/ACT

Broken Hill RFDS Base

Broken Hill Base is steeped in Australian history, and very much part of the community it serves. As well as health services, we have educational opportunities, a medical centre, a museum and shop. Operations began at the RFDS Broken Hill Base in May 1936. It was here, over sixty years ago, during the Queen's 1954 visit that we received the “Royal" prefix.

From Broken Hill we provide 24 hour emergency retrievals, covering a land mass of approximately 640,000 km². We operate a network of primary health clinics where patients can access community health nurses, dentists, mental health and allied health professionals. Our team offer training for medical and health science students in partnership with the University of Sydney, Department of Rural Health.

The Clive Bishop Medical Centre is located on the base, and offers non-emergency treatment in the areas of family medicine — including immunisations and children's health checks plus men's and women's health — as well as management plans for chronic illness, wound care, skin checks and minor surgical procedures.

Since 1986, the RFDS has been under contract to Santos Ltd to provide health services to their employees in the Oil and Gas Fields at Moomba, South Australia, and since 2004, we extended our services to Ballera on the Queensland border. We now offer emergency and primary healthcare to almost 1,200 Santos employees as well as to residents in the surrounding areas.

Launceston RFDS Base

Launceston Base began operations in 1997. Our initial flight carried a critically ill baby from Wynyard, Tasmania to Essendon for surgery at a Melbourne children's hospital.

Today Launceston base is the home of aeromedical operations serving Tasmania and the Bass Strait Island communities. We deliver aeromedical services for Ambulance Tasmania, they provide medical staff and we provide pilots, engineers and our aircraft.

Since 1986, the RFDS has been under contract to Santos Ltd to provide health services to their employees in the Oil and Gas Fields at Moomba, South Australia.

In 2004, we extended our services to Ballera on the Queensland border. We now offer emergency and primary healthcare to almost 1,200 Santos employees as well as to residents in the surrounding areas.