Celebrating 94 years with the Royal Flying Doctor Service

From their early roots in providing emergency aeromedical support across the Outback to the multi-faceted primary health care and emergency service we know today, for 94 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has worked tirelessly to provide lifesaving care and reduce inequity for regional and remote communities right across Australia.

With our operations and teams spread far and wide across Australia’s north and east, including some regional and very remote areas, Jemena recognises, respects and takes great reassurance in the critical role the Service plays in being there 24/7 for our people, customers and communities ‘when it counts’.

For numerous years, we’ve been proud to support the Flying Doctor with donations towards various activities that help ensure people who live, work, and travel across our communities get and stay well. This Flying Doctor Day (the anniversary of their very first flight), we invite you to join us in thanking and learning a bit more about what life at the ‘Flying Doctor’ looks like today.

Central Operations (Northern Territory & South Australia)

At least once a day, RFDS Central Operations touch down in the small township of Tennant Creek, located around 988km south of Darwin. Tennant Creek is a major patient transfer hub within the Barkly region.

Servicing an area of around 1.25 million km2 – from sunny Adelaide all the way up to Elliott, and into the border regions of Western Australia and Queensland – theirs is one of the most iconic, and sparsely populated landscapes.

As well as operating four aeromedical bases at Darwin, Alice Springs, Port Augusta and Adelaide, the team offer a range of health care services from remote GP and Community Health Nurse clinics to telehealth, mental health support and even immunisations, assisting over 50,000 patients every year.

Always looking to innovate and improve patient care, their Adelaide base has recently welcomed a ground-breaking portable flight (training) simulator, and back in Tennant Creek, a new Patient Transfer Facility is in the works to provide greater protection from the scorching midday sun.

Jemena is a proud 4+ year supporter of RFDS Central Ops, and this year donate to their new Tennant Creek Patient Transfer Facility Project. Learn more about their incredible work here.

Queensland Section

Since their first flight near Cloncurry back in 1928, the RFDS in Queensland has worked tirelessly to deliver incredible care to people far and wide; visiting more than 100 remote communities each year and providing more than 190 occasions of care every day.

Covering around 1.73 million km2, nine operational bases and 20 aircraft, theirs is one of the biggest Service areas, and in 2020/21 alone they flew over 24,279 hours providing aeromedical retrieval services for the critically ill or injured, primary responses and inter-hospital transfers.

In addition to retrievals, the team also delivers a broad range of essential primary and preventative healthcare services, including telehealth, mental health, oral health and health promotion.

The team have some very special projects underway this year including a new base in Mount Isa;  allowing medical staff, pilots and ground crew to deliver even greater levels of patient care.  

Jemena is proud to continue our support for RFDS (Queensland Section) in 2022 with a contribution towards the build of their new Mount Isa base, due to break ground later this year. Read more about the team, their work and some heart-warming patient stories here.

Victoria

Each year, RFDS Victoria works in partnership with community health organisations across the State to help more than 90,000 patients access primary health care services and transports by air or road.

From patient transfers to telehealth, school education, dental, eye care and mental health programs, and Rural Women’s GP Services; the teams are a much beloved and trusted member of the many regional and metro communities they support.

And while the COVID-19 Pandemic has presented some challenges - temporarily pivoting their patient transit teams to act as first responders and requiring long days spent in full PPE - what it hasn’t dulled is the incredible and meticulous care they invest in every patient visit and interaction.

With 2022 seeing a range of exciting announcements – including the expansion of their free Flying Doctor Community Transport service to more community members across the Western Victoria, Murray and Gippsland regions, the future is looking bright.

Jemena is proud to support RFDS Victoria in 2022 with a donation towards their telehealth services – helping people living across the Gippsland region to access specialist healthcare services from a local environment where they feel comfortable and supported. Find out more about them here.

Donate to the RFDS

As a not-for-profit aeromedical organisation, the Royal Flying Doctor Service rely on the help and generosity of others to continue delivering world-class essential health and emergency medical services.

To join us in donating to the RFDS today (Australia-wide or in your local State or Territory) visit: https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/donate/