Royal Flying Doctor Service: What Families Should Know
How the Royal Flying Doctor Service supports rural and remote Australia through aeromedical retrievals, patient transfers and primary health care.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) provides aeromedical and primary health care for people who live, work or travel in rural and remote Australia. Its exact services and operating arrangements differ between regions.
The RFDS is not a replacement for triple zero. In a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 000 and give the clearest possible location. Follow any established emergency plan provided by a remote property, workplace, community clinic or tour operator.
What the RFDS does
The RFDS combines aircraft, road vehicles, communications technology and clinical teams. Depending on the location, its work can include:
- emergency aeromedical retrieval
- transfers between hospitals
- fly-in and drive-in GP and nurse clinics
- telehealth consultations
- dental services
- mental health and wellbeing services
- other primary and preventive health programs.
The national RFDS service overview explains the main categories. Availability, referral pathways and schedules vary, so a local RFDS section or health service is the right source for a specific community.
What happens in an emergency?
An emergency call is assessed and coordinated through the relevant emergency and health systems. The response might involve a local first responder, road ambulance, clinic, RFDS aircraft, another aeromedical provider or a combination of services.
Aircraft cannot always land beside a patient. Weather, darkness, runway condition, distance, crew availability and the patient’s needs all affect the response. Avoid relying on an old article that promises a fixed response time.
If asked to help while waiting:
- follow the instructions given by the emergency call-taker or clinician
- keep the patient safe and do not move them unless instructed or there is immediate danger
- provide first aid within your training
- make the location and access route clear
- keep medicines, allergies and relevant medical information ready
- keep the phone or radio available for further contact.
Preparing for remote travel with children
Before a remote trip, check road and weather conditions, mobile coverage, fuel range, water, first-aid supplies and access to health care. Tell a reliable person the route and expected arrival time.
Carry prescribed medicines in sufficient quantity and keep an up-to-date list of conditions, allergies and emergency contacts. A satellite phone or personal locator beacon can improve communication in areas without mobile coverage, but it does not replace a travel plan or emergency services.
Healthdirect provides 24-hour health advice on 1800 022 222. Call 000 for urgent medical help.
A service built for distance
The organisation began in Cloncurry, Queensland, in May 1928 after years of work led by Reverend John Flynn and others. The first medical flight left on 17 May 1928.
The RFDS has since developed into a national charitable health organisation working with communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, health networks and governments. Read the RFDS’s official history or our plain-language history guide.
For more detail, see services offered by the RFDS and how the organisation works.