Australia-wide, last year between December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 26 (Boxing Day), the Royal Flying Doctor Service brought care to 259 people, with a range of illnesses and injuries.
44 patients needed emergency medical assistance for serious accidents and injuries, a further 35 for heart attack or stroke, and an additional 27 for digestive/stomach troubles.
22% of those cared for over the 2 days of Christmas were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.
In addition to the vast distances our ground health services travel, in total our RFDS crews across the country made 180 flights, covered 162,102 kilometers, and spent 495 hours in the air over the three days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day in 2021. Santa would have been proud.
As Australians take a well-earned break this Christmas, the red-belly planes of the RFDS will also be in the air providing service to those that need it.
In the air and on the ground, RFDS crews will be available 24/7 across the 7.69 million square kilometers of this large continent to ensure people get the help they need.
The RFDS want to thank all Australians for their ongoing support and trust, which enables them to continue the work they do – and they urge everyone to stay safe and take care this holiday period.
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