The RFDS in SA/NT
Clinic Charter Services SA/NT
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 charter services to NT Health in the Top End region operating from its new Darwin Base.
Construction of the new base was completed in December 2017, and represents a major investment – and long-term commitment – by the RFDS in the well-being of all Territorians. RFDS has been evacuating patients from Central Australia and the Kimberley region to Royal Darwin Hospital for almost 80 years, utilising a combination of hangar sub-lease and shared access arrangements with general aviation providers at Darwin International Airport.
Patient outcome is the driver of everything we do,” says Michael Toomey, RFDS General Manager, Northern Territory. “The decision to invest in our own permanent presence in Darwin was to provide us with the opportunity to improve patient outcome and, ultimately, the efficiency and flexibility which we can deliver our services in the Northern Territory – and beyond,”
Mr Toomey says.
“The modern facility was designed to create a streamlined patient transfer process, as well as provide a modern and safe workplace for Darwin staff, guests and our NT Health service delivery partners. We can now offer the NT Government with a trusted and cost-effective option for the repatriation of low-acuity patients from Royal Darwin Hospital to outreach hospitals such as Katherine and Gove.”
