RFDS Integrated Primary Health and Education Centre
Revolutionising rural and remote health care and education
The RFDS is set to build Australia’s first integrated outback centre for health, research and education in Port Augusta, which will lead the future for rural and remote health care and education across the nation.
The $21 million centre, to be built in Port Augusta, will provide increased access to multi-disciplinary primary health care for the local community and for more than 1,600 existing RFDS patients who live remotely and visit Port Augusta regularly.
Initially, the clinic will support up to 25,000 patient consultations every year spanning General Practice, mental health, occupational therapy, chronic disease management, Aboriginal health, digital health, and oral health.
The centre will also serve as an education and training base, offering placements for Medical, Nursing and Allied Health students in partnership with education partners.
Supporting our regions to thrive
The centre will additionally host post-graduate students to undertake Research In Practice, improving long-term rural health outcomes.
It is anticipated the hub will help attract, train, and retain a future health workforce for the Far North, including much-needed Rural Generalists – doctors specialising in health care delivery in the bush.
The equivalent of 222 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs would be supported during the construction phase of this project, with the RFDS employing 17 new ongoing FTEs as a result.
The Port Augusta project was boosted by a $1 million funding injection through the SA Government’s Enabling Infrastructure Program, with RFDS fundraising to offset the total cost.
