The Flying Doctor has hit the road in 2025 with a new all-terrain ambulance – the first of its kind in South Australia.
Engineered to navigate rough landscapes and conditions, the purpose-built vehicle helps the RFDS reach people swiftly and safely, providing enhanced care and greater comfort for patients and crews
Equipped with the latest in satellite communication technology, the ambulance keeps crews in constant contact with RFDS doctors and emergency services, even in the most remote locations.
This real-time connectivity enables immediate doctor consultation, guiding on-the-spot treatment for the highest standard of care during transport.
“Your postcode shouldn’t determine your access to quality health care,” Remote Area Clinics Manager Melissa Allen said.
“Whether off the beaten track or across rough roads, this ambulance brings timely, life-saving care directly to patients, no matter the location.
“In medical emergencies, improved access, better treatment and slashed transport time can be the difference between life and death.”
Melissa Allen, Remote Area Clinics Manager
Combining the comfort and cargo capacity of a Toyota HiAce with the robust durability of a LandCruiser 200, the ambulance features a sturdy four-wheel-drive system and high ground clearance, ensuring it can handle the toughest conditions.
Inside, it’s outfitted with modern medical equipment, including a powered automatic-lift stretcher, portable defibrillator, monitoring devices, a medical refrigerator and a ‘grab and go’ locker that ensures urgent first response and resuscitation gear is on hand in emergencies.
Initially stationed at the RFDS Community Health Clinic in Andamooka, which provides 24/7 on-call emergency medical support to the outback opal mining town and surrounding area, the ambulance will support approximately 150 patients every year.
Co-designed and custom-built by St John Ambulance NT, the $300,000 vehicle was funded by a generous donation from RFDS donor Carole Stone.
“We’ve worked closely with St John NT, who have significant experience in emergency ambulance response in some of the country’s most remote areas, to design a vehicle with the clinician and patient in mind,” RFDS SA/NT Operations Manager Ambulance Services Nicola Medlycott said.
“Innovations such as this custom-designed vehicle, help bridge the critical gap in emergency services between remote communities and urban centres.”
Learn more about the Flying Doctor.
