It was a pleasure to have the Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie along with Senator Steve Martin and Liberal candidate for Braddon Brett Whiteley, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Launceston today to see how the Coalition Government’s four-year commitment to the Royal Flying Doctor Service of $327 million will ensure essential services are available where and when people need them.
“Through the Coalition Government’s Stronger Rural Health Strategy, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has received continued funding to provide essential aeromedical services,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Spending time in Launceston today, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing firsthand how important the Royal Flying Doctor Service is to those living in beautiful rural and regional Tasmania and how much it is relied upon.”
Senator for Tasmania, Steve Martin said the Tasmanian branch of the Royal Flying Doctor Service is vital for those living outside regional centres.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania provides reliable access to primary health care services, including dental for people living, working and visiting rural and remote areas of Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands,” Senator Martin said.
Thanks to the Coalition Government’s ongoing support, vital services like the outreach dental program will continue for the next four years, well beyond March 2019 when previous funding was due to cease.
From 1 January 2019, a new Mental Health Outreach Clinic program will provide professional mental health services to areas where there are currently few or none.
The funding will also ensure RFDS TAS can enhance primary health services to the Bass Strait Islands (including King, Flinders and Cape Barren Islands) and provide a range of support services for upskilling, credentialing and training to health professionals working on the Bass Strait Islands.
Find out more about RFDS TAS services
