The Royal Flying Doctor Service has been announced as Australia’s ‘Most Trusted Charity’ based on the Australian Reader's Digest Trusted Brands survey of 2021. “A patient’s trust in their medical services is vital – particularly if they are living in locations that don’t have easy access to the services enjoyed in our cities”, RFDS Federation Executive Director Frank Quinlan said.
“That we have earned this trust, in the provision of vital emergency, medical and primary health care services to rural and remote Australia, gives our 1900 staff great pride.”
The RFDS is part of Australia’s broad national health system, and works closely with governments, industry, Aboriginal medical services, primary health networks, local hospital districts, GPs and rural and remote communities -- to keep Aussies healthy and safe.
In Tasmania the RFDS continues to support the provision of aeromedical services and it has a dedicated team of rural, physical and mental health workers providing services in Break O’Day, George Town, Meander Valley, Glamorgan Spring Bay, Flinders Island, Dorset, Bruny Island, Tasman Peninsula and Huon Valley local government areas.
It also has mobile dental teams that cover most of the north-west, north-east and east coast areas of the state as well as the Fingal Valley and King and Flinders Islands and its health education program involves up to 30 schools each year and attracts more than 10,000 educators to its online resources.
RFDS Tasmania CEO John Kirwan said the Most Trusted Charity award is testament to the amazing work from staff and the strong partnerships and relationships with other allied health providers and the rural and remote communities in which the RFDS operates.
“Once again, in the lead-up to our annual fundraising tax appeal, people can give with confidence and know that they really will make a difference to the lives of Tasmanians,” he said.
“This is also why the Tasmanian Liberal Party recently signed an MOU with RFDS Tasmania which will see the ongoing provision of aeromedical services in Tasmania along with a further $300,000 for dental services in rural and regional Tasmania.”
Mr Kirwan said the commitment would put a process in place that would allow a more detailed partnership to be negotiated for a long term strategic arrangement that will see significant benefits to Tasmania. The Tasmanian Labor Party has made a similar commitment.
“The RFDS is celebrating 60 years of service to Tasmania and we feel we have earned the trust that Australian Reader’s Digest has identified and its something that we always strive to build upon.”
