The RFDS in SA/NT

What we do

RFDS Central Operations began in 1939 and delivers emergency aeromedical and community healthcare services throughout South Australia and the Northern Territory, be it an aeromedical evacuation, a GP and Community Health Nurse clinic, a telehealth call, a mental health or oral health clinic, or a child's immunisation.

Every year, we assist more than 56,000 patients in South Australia and the Northern Territory (Central Operations) - that's one patient every 10 minutes.

We operate four aeromedical bases in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin and Port Augusta, as well as three remote primary healthcare facilities in Andamooka, Marla and Marree in outback South Australia.

The RFDS is a not-for-profit organisation. While we receive support from governments, we rely on fundraising and donations to bridge the gap in operational funding, and to finance replacement aircraft, medical equipment and other major capital initiatives.

We exist to support healthier and happier Australians no matter where they live, work or play.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The RFDS has established a national RFDS COVID-19 Working Group to work closely with the Commonwealth and State Departments of Health in ensuring we can respond accordingly to this pandemic and deploy RFDS resources to outbreak areas if and when they are needed.

Aeromedical Retrievals

Aeromedical Retrievals RFDS Central Operations

Primary Health Care

Regular fly-in GP and Community Health Nurse clinics are conducted fortnightly to remote stations and communities from our Port Augusta Base. Primary Health Care Services are also available from RFDS Port Augusta Base to those living, working and travelling in remote SA and at RFDS Health Services in Marree, Marla and Andamooka.

Oral Health Care Program

The RFDS Oral Health Care Program offers a mobile dental and oral health care service to residents and communities throughout rural and remote South Australia and the Northern Territory. Regular ‘fly-in’ clinics provide opportunities for people of all ages living in remote locations to access high-quality dental care at no cost to the patient.

Vaccination Clinics

The Flying Doctor manages the delivery of public health immunisation programs (including COVID-19) to rural and remote communities.

Midwifery

RFDS Midwives work collaboratively with doctors and tertiary hospitals to provide the finest care for pregnant women living in rural and remote areas.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Services

Our Mental Health Clinicians help remote residents access short-term assistance during tough times and longer-term support to manage conditions like anxiety and depression.

Inter-hospital Transfers

RFDS Central Operations conducts over 20 aeromedical transfers every day of patients from a country hospital to a major metropolitan hospital for life-saving treatment or specialist medical treatment.

RFDS jet sits on tarmac. A patient is being pushed on a stretcher

Long-Haul (Interstate) Aeromedical Transfers

A game-changer in aeromedical care, the RFDS Medi-Jet 24 slashes total mission time of long-haul missions and delivers three critically-ill patients the finest care in the air.

AEDs

With requests from remote communities, RFDS has determined the benefit of co-locating Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) with each RFDS Medical Chest as these will potentially save lives.

RFDS Pilot Heather Ford sits in the cockpit of a Pilatus PC12. She is wearing a headset and smiling.

Clinic Charter Services

The RFDS has been a preferred provider of clinic charter services in Central Australia for many years, safely transporting NT Health primary and allied health professionals between isolated communities from Alice Springs Base. Following the successful renewal on the NT Government’s supplier panel for the Short-Haul Passenger Air Charter Service, the RFDS has commenced clinic charter services to NT Health in the Top End region operating from its new Darwin Base.

Aboriginal Health Coordinator

The Aboriginal Health Coordinator focuses on providing a service specific to Aboriginal communities in South Australia. The position operates from the Port Augusta Base to liaise with Aboriginal patients of all ages, RFDS staff and health professionals.

Our Fleet

Pilatus PC-12

RFDS Central Operations operates 18 Pilatus PC-12 aircraft capable of carrying two stretchered patients in a full aeromedical fitout. They have a hydraulic lifting device to move stretchers on and off the aircraft through a dedicated cargo door. There are seats for a Doctor, Flight Nurse and one passenger.

Pilatus PC-24

RFDS Central Operations took delivery of its first permanently configured aeromedical jet in 2019, the RFDS Medi-Jet 24. A game changer in aeromedical care, the RFDS Medi-Jet 24 slashes total mission time and delivers three critically-ill patients the finest care in the air.