Thank you for bringing life-saving specialist care to rural Victorians like Sally.

"It’s amazing to have this service in Mildura, because we are quite isolated."

Simply getting access to a specialist can be a huge challenge for rural Victorians and far too often can result in lives being put at risk. 

Thanks to support like yours, Flying Doctor Remote Specialist is free of charge for people living in rural communities across Victoria, giving them access by phone or video-link to the medical specialists they need. 

One of those who has benefitted from the service is Sally, who lives in Mildura. After struggling with debilitating shortness of breath, Sally was eventually diagnosed with a chronic lung disease known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 

As she explains, “I remember coming home from work one day and my son and my husband were there. I could hardly breathe and I didn’t know why. I just burst into tears.” Sally continues, 

“I want to grow old and see my grandchildren grow up. That’s when I realised I needed help.” After visiting her local community health service, Sally was referred to Dr Fogarty, a respiratory specialist based in Melbourne. 

Over the past three years, Sally has had regular consultations with Dr Fogarty via video-link, often during her lunch break at work in Mildura. Having such a convenient health service available means the world to her. 

“I don’t have to take time off work,” says Sally. “I don’t have to travel six hours up to Melbourne and six hours back. If my appointment is at one o’clock, he sees you at one o’clock, which is awesome.” 

As well as helping Sally manage her COPD, Dr Forgarty identified the additional complication of asthma after she explained how cold or windy weather affected her breathing. 

“He’s given me breathing exercises and helped me use my lungs to the best I can. He’s helped me immensely.” 

Recently, Sally received a further blow after being diagnosed with a serious melanoma, and a further scan revealed a concern in her left lung. Once again, Dr Fogarty has been there to support her. 

“I’ve had melanoma removed, and it’s quite serious. I was really worried about my lung capacity, and if it gets shorter, how do I cope with that? And he said, ‘Sally, if that happens, we will be with you every step of the way’. He just put my mind at ease.”  

With three medical challenges to deal with, it’s easy to see just how important Flying Doctor Remote Specialist is. As she says herself: “It’s an awesome service that’s probably saved my life.” 

Thank you for making this service available to even more rural Victorians through your wonderful support.

"It makes a big difference knowing Dr Forgarty is going to be there and help me get through whatever I’ve got to get through."