The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Western Australia (RFDS) has welcomed election commitments from three major parties to increase the RFDS’ presence in Geraldton.
The WA Liberals, WA Labor and The Nationals WA have all pledged funding that would see an RFDS base set up in the coastal Mid West city.
Geraldton Health Campus currently refers around 900 patients per year for inter-hospital transfer by the RFDS – the largest number of patients from any other regional hospital and almost one in 10 of all RFDS patient transfers across WA. With the expansion of the Geraldton Health Campus, it is anticipated there will be more inward patients to Geraldton, as well as maintaining current levels of outward-bound patients.
“The RFDS is continually looking at the best ways to improve our services in the Mid West, not only for aeromedical retrievals, but also for remote primary health clinics,” said RFDS WA CEO Judith Barker ASM.
Geraldton would be an attractive place for our crews to live and work, and we look forward to working with the Government after the election to make it a reality.
Judith Barker ASMRFDS has actively engaged with local stakeholders about 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.
The RFDS also held a Community Conversation event in Geraldton in August 2024 to gain the perspective of Mid West residents, to help inform decision making about future plans for the region.
