Her Excellency, The Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, paid her first visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service this week, meeting with crews and acknowledging their hard work over what has been a challenging health environment in recent years.
In touring the RFDS Adelaide Base, Her Excellency took the opportunity to learn more about how Flying Doctor crews deliver 24/7 care inside its aeromedically-equipped ‘flying intensive care units’.
“As patron of the RFDS, I was delighted to visit the Adelaide Base and meet the organisation’s dedicated team of professionals – including pilots, flight nurses, engineers and support staff – who are passionate about making a difference for people who live and work in our country communities,” Her Excellency said.
“It was an honour to embark on a flight and to learn first-hand about how the RFDS has expanded its traditional role of 24-hour outback retrievals to including primary and preventative healthcare services, including inter-hospital patient transfers and GP clinics.”
RFDS Central Operations Chief Executive, Tony Vaughan ASM said Her Excellency’s visit was a wonderful opportunity to showcase how the RFDS is continuously innovating to meet the rapidly evolving healthcare needs of rural and remote communities.
“Against the ongoing backdrop of COVID-19 and supporting the state’s pandemic response, this year the RFDS delivered almost 30,000 episodes of care to rural and outback South Australians,” he said.
“It was a privilege to have Her Excellency visit to meet with our crews and learn about what goes on behind the scenes to ensure we can provide the finest care to the furthest corner.”
The RFDS airlifts more than 15 people in South Australia every day and delivers essential primary, mental, dental and allied healthcare services to rural and remote communities across the state.
