The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia (RFDS) welcomes the State Government’s confirmation of $7.5 million to fund the operation of a new RFDS base in Geraldton.
This represents a significant commitment in the health and wellbeing of communities across the Mid West and Gascoyne regions and will enable the RFDS to further strengthen its care throughout the region.
WA Country Health Service’s Geraldton Health Campus is the single busiest location for RFDS patient retrievals in Western Australia, with crews currently transferring two to three patients per day.
(Left image - RFDS Meekatharra base, Mid West and Gascoyne region)
The hospital also refers almost one in ten RFDS transfers statewide - around 900 patients each year.
With the expansion of the Geraldton Health Campus, it is anticipated there will also be more inward patients to Geraldton, as well as maintaining current levels of outward-bound patients.
RFDS WA CEO Judith Barker ASM said the announcement is an important milestone for regional health in Western Australia.
“This investment will help ensure people living in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions have access to the care they need, when they need it. Establishing an RFDS base in Geraldton is a natural next step in strengthening services for the region.
“Geraldton is already our busiest location for patient transfers and a local base will allow our crews to respond more efficiently while also supporting the growing demand at the Geraldton Health Campus.
(Right image - RFDS WA CEO Judith Barker ASM in Geraldton)
“We’ve listened to the community, our partners and our stakeholders, and we’re pleased to work alongside the State Government to make this a reality.”
The RFDS is working with the City of Greater Geraldton to investigate suitable locations at Geraldton Airport and looks forward to progressing planning now that funding certainty has been provided.
As part of the change, the RFDS will work hand-in-hand with the Meekatharra and Geraldton communities to carefully manage the transition of its Mid West hub from Meekatharra to Geraldton without interruption.
There will be no reduction in services to Meekatharra or surrounding communities including both patient transfers and remote primary health services.
The RFDS has actively engaged with local stakeholders on the need for an increased presence in Geraldton, including the Abrolhos Islands Body Corporate Group, City of Greater Geraldton, Mid West Development Commission and Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service.
A Community Conversation event held in Geraldton in August 2024 also helped gather valuable community perspectives to inform future planning.
