What we do
Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, the RFDS works to provide emergency medical and primary health care services to anyone who lives, works or travels in rural and remote Australia.
The services we offer
Medical services needed by people living in rural and remote areas of Australia are no different to services required in our large cities, but the vast distances that small rural populations have to overcome to access health services, provide a real challenge. The Royal Flying Doctor Service works to assist country Australians in many ways.
With a waiting room of 7.69 million square kilometres, the RFDS provides 24-hour aeromedical emergency services that can reach anywhere, no matter how remote, within hours. Combined with telehealth consultations, fly-in fly-out GP and Nurse clinics, mobile dental services, patient transfers, and a myriad of other health services, the RFDS is constantly working to see that those living in rural and remote areas can enjoy the same health outcomes as those living in city areas.
Aeromedical Emergency Services
We provide 24-hour aeromedical emergency services to country Australia. Accidents, injuries, heart attacks, premature labour -- we can generally reach anywhere within a 2 hour period.
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Primary Health Services
The RFDS is the GP for hundreds of communities in the bush. We provide regular fly-in fly-out GP, Nursing and Allied Health Clinics. From cradle to grave, we provide service to families for as many as five generations.
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Non-Emergency transportation of Patients
The RFDS plays a vital role in the transporting of patients - not just in an emergency. Examples include the transfer of a patient from a regional hospital to a tertiary hospital, or an elderly person traveling from aged care for a specialist appointment. This service, by road or air, is vital to country Australia.
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Research
RFDS peer-reviewed research gives us the capacity to hone in on the locations and health issues that require targetted interventions. The RFDS research team actively works with well established research organisations to improve health outcomes for those in country Australia.
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