The Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT (RFDS) has welcomed today’s announcement that it will operate the Top End Medical Retrieval Service (TEMRS), following a competitive procurement process led by the Northern Territory Government.
The 10-year contract will see the RFDS deliver a fully integrated aeromedical retrieval and road patient transfer service from Darwin, Katherine and Gove, caring for more than 4,500 patients every year across the Territory’s Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem regions.
The contract builds on the RFDS’s 87-year history of serving Territorians, including aeromedical bases in Alice Springs and Darwin, a patient transfer facility in Tennant Creek, oral and mental health services in remote communities, and tourist facilities that contribute to the Territory’s tourism economy.
Under the contract, the RFDS will partner with specialist rotary-wing operator Toll Aviation – a division of Toll Group. The partnership combines the RFDS’s nationally recognised expertise in aeromedical and clinical care with Toll’s envied reputation in the specialist field of helicopter medical retrieval and search and rescue operations.
NT Minister for Health Steve Edgington said aeromedical retrieval services were essential to providing urgent and specialist care in the Northern Territory and they looked forward to working with RFDS SA/NT to transition to the new arrangements.
“RFDS has a long history of delivering health care in remote and regional Australia, and we look forward to working with the organisation to provide this critical service across the Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem regions,” he said.
“This 10-year contract will provide long-term certainty for the service and deliver modern aircraft capable of supporting safe, timely and effective patient care.”
RFDS Chief Executive Tony Vaughan ASM said the contract recognised the organisation’s proven capability and dedication to delivering essential aeromedical services across Central Australia and the Barkly, and more recently in the Top End and beyond.
“We’re proud and honoured to deliver the next chapter of aeromedical and patient transport services for our Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem communities, working alongside NT Health, our rotary-wing partner Toll Aviation and service-delivery partners as one seamless service,” Mr Vaughan said.
“With more than 87 years of serving Territorians, the RFDS brings a proven track record in delivering efficient, safe and reliable aeromedical care.
We acknowledge the significant contribution CareFlight has made to TEMRS over more than a decade. Our focus now is on building on that legacy, ensuring patients continue to receive exceptional care while supporting the dedicated people who deliver this every day.
Tony Vaughan ASM, RFDSToll Aviation Senior Vice President Scott Watkins said Toll is incredibly proud to increase its operational capability in the Northern Territory.
“The partnership with RFDS will deliver TEMRS with an exceptional service for the community,” Mr Watkins said.
Over the coming months, RFDS teams will work closely with NT Health, Toll Aviation, CareFlight and other service-delivery partners to plan for a smooth transition, with commencement of the fully integrated service from July 2027.
“Shortly we’ll commence recruitment for a range of clinical, aviation, operational and support positions,” Mr Vaughan said.
“We look forward to welcoming new team members, including current RFDS staff seeking new opportunities, and CareFlight employees who may wish to continue delivering aeromedical care in the Top End as part of the RFDS team.”
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