Queensland Government signs new partnership with Royal Flying Doctor Service

Since 1995, the Queensland Government has partnered with the RFDS to deliver more than 230,000 inter-hospital transfers for patients needing aeromedical retrieval and specialist treatment across the state.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the new partnership would allow the RFDS to continue to deliver ‘life-saving work.

“The partnership secures RFDS as the inter-hospital transfer service provider for the long-term,” he said. “Because of this in-principle agreement, thousands more Queenslanders will be able to benefit from this life-saving service.

“Transporting patients in medically fitted-out fixed-wing planes gives Queenslanders living in regional and remote parts of the state better access to healthcare that will save their lives.”

Providing certainty around vital healthcare

RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib thanked the Queensland Government for their continued investment in the future of what has become one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world.

“This partnership provides certainty around the delivery of vital healthcare services for patients, but also great value for money for the state of Queensland. As a not-for-profit organisation, every dollar generated by the RFDS is reinvested into the delivery of healthcare services in Queensland.

“With some of the world’s most highly trained and skilled aviation and medical staff, including 88 nurses, 66 pilots, and 60 doctors, the RFDS in Queensland is incredibly well positioned to uphold our promise to deliver the finest care to the furthest corner of the state. Today’s commitment is a commitment to the people of regional, rural and remote Queensland and one we are honoured to carry on for the people we have served for almost 100 years.”