I live in Bathurst in the beautiful Central West of NSW. It’s been my home for many years. I’ve raised a family here. Established my professional career. Become part of the community. I am lucky enough to live in a part of NSW that is populated enough to attract many different services – education, services, shops, and of course, healthcare, are all accessible.
But for many people who live in the more remote parts of the state, they do not have that luxury. This is a point I took to heart during my recent visit to the wonderfully hospitable community of Packsaddle, 218km north of Broken Hill, where we host a regular primary care clinic.
The land is flat and sprawling, perfect for agricultural pastoralists, many of whom have been on the land for generations. In Packsaddle, the permanent population is around 75. It’s a small, close-knit community.
There is no public school nearby, so local children attend the School of the Air. There is no pharmacy, so if someone falls ill, the RFDS Medical Chest Custodian calls us about appropriate medication. There is no GP or mental health specialist, so the community relies on our fortnightly visits to provide care. More recently, our child therapists have also started ‘story time’ sessions for young children to come together, connect and explore through reading and art.
Wear an RFDS uniform in Packsaddle, or any community like it, and you will be welcomed with open arms. The impact our people have on these communities – as healthcare providers, emergency specialists, and even a friendly ear, runs deep and wide.
Many of these communities can only stay in place because of the services we provide. This is a responsibility the RFDS takes very seriously.
Dr Saranne CookeWe want people in our regions and on the land – we need them there, to help produce our food, the materials for our clothing, and the resources for our infrastructure. But we cannot expect these communities to survive, let alone thrive, in the absence of services and support.
And of course, our regions are the first to feel changes to the economy, cost of living pressures, and skills shortages. This results in greater wait times to see fewer doctors, local emergency departments that triage to larger hospitals, and months-long waitlists to visit specialists a commercial flight away.
This dearth of accessible healthcare is not improving. New gaps are emerging. But the Royal Flying Doctor Service has a history of seeing a gap – an inequality of access to healthcare – as an opportunity, and a responsibility to help fill.
How can our organisation make the most difference, for the most people, in the current climate? We ask ourselves this all the time to ensure that we are investing our resources and expertise in the right areas.
We will always be available for the most remote and vulnerable communities across the South Eastern Section, and I am proud of how our organisation continues to invest in primary healthcare, preventive care and wellbeing initiatives designed to keep regional, rural and remote communities healthier for longer. In this report we further explore how we are responding to current and emerging demands, and I could not be more proud of the essential interlink between our people, the communities we serve, and the longevity of our impressive regions.
