News

90 Years of Unparalleled Service

The RFDS has evolved from an early vision of an “aerial experiment” into a remarkable 24-hour, 7 days a week health service to enable people in rural and remote Australia, and who are beyond regular medical infrastructure, to access medical care in metropolitan-based tertiary hospitals.

Looking Ahead - Health Needs of Country Australians in Ten Years Time

Taking care of your mental wellbeing

Our mental health team shares some tips about how to take care of yourself, where to go for help, and explains how the RFDS helps.

"I was one who always thought; It won't happen to me."

"I did ask family to donate to the Flying Doctor instead of buying me get well gifts, however I also wanted to leave a gift. A thank you for their dedication. I had never met these people before my accident, and yet they saved my life."

Sam's got the need; the need for speed!

I have flown with the RFDS as a patient, and now to be able to work on the other side of the organisation is extremely humbling.

AEDs delivered for Outback Hearts

National sponsor TAL has part funded the distribution of defibrillators to all medical chest holders in Outback South Australia.

The gift of a smile

Dad this is the first time I have seen you smile!

Launceston engineer wins national award

Launceston Engineer Greg Foot has been recognised by the Federation Board of the Royal Flying Doctor Service at an award ceremony in Canberra. Greg was presented the award by Minister for Rural Health Bridget McKenzie

A lasting legacy

I am hoping that the bequest that I am leaving the Flying Doctor will continue to help in some small way

Message from the president

Ruth Sandow, RFDS SE President, lives at Pimpara Lake Station, 200km north of Broken Hill. Like many other farmers in far western NSW, Ruth and her family are dealing with one of the worst droughts on record. Here, she shares her experiences and personal photos of what she’s seeing on the land.

New aircraft means more healthcare to more people

Aeroplanes are both a practical necessity and a magical part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. So when a new aeroplane joins the team it is cause for celebration. This year there was even more reason to rejoice with four new aircraft joining our growing fleet!

Get to know Emma Wex

One day you may be tasked to a woman in pre-term labour, the next day you could be attending a car roll over.

The power of three

All the girls at the Base were listening in when I asked Lyn if she would marry, me. Of course, all the RFDS nurses then asked if they had an invite to the wedding!

Ride on!

If you learn about the people and places they get to, the stories of retrieval and survival are extraordinary. They are not like a normal clinical hospital situation, they adapt brilliantly.

Over land and over sea

I remember it clearly. It was about six o’clock in the morning, I was bending down to get some live bait in the bucket for my hook when I felt this funny sensation in my head. There was no pain, just a strange sensation.