Services Offered by the Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) delivers different combinations of emergency, transport and primary health services across rural and remote Australia.

Not every service is available in every location. Local RFDS sections, health departments and community health services publish the current pathways and schedules.

Aeromedical retrievals

Aeromedical retrieval moves a patient who needs clinical care from a remote location to an appropriate health facility. A retrieval team can provide treatment and monitoring during the journey.

Responses are coordinated according to the patient’s condition, location, weather, access and available services. The nearest or most suitable response may also involve road ambulance, a local clinic or another aeromedical provider.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 000. Do not delay while trying to identify an aircraft service yourself.

Hospital transfers

The RFDS also moves patients between health facilities when they need care that is not available locally. These inter-hospital transfers are arranged by clinicians and health services rather than booked like ordinary travel.

Primary health care

Planned primary care can prevent a health problem from becoming an emergency. Depending on the region, RFDS teams may run fly-in, drive-in or fixed-site clinics involving GPs, nurses and allied health professionals.

Services can include health checks, chronic condition care, immunisation, maternal and child health, referrals and follow-up. The exact program reflects local needs and partnerships.

Telehealth

Telehealth allows patients or local clinicians to consult an RFDS health professional by phone or video. It can provide advice, follow-up and support between clinic visits, although it is not suitable for every problem.

Healthdirect also provides general 24-hour health advice on 1800 022 222. Call 000 when urgent medical help is needed.

Dental and oral health

Some RFDS operations provide mobile dental clinics and oral health education in communities with limited access to a resident service. Availability and eligibility should be confirmed locally.

Mental health and wellbeing

Regional RFDS programs may provide counselling, mental health care, alcohol and other drug support, social and emotional wellbeing services, or referrals. Programs differ and may be delivered with local health organisations.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. Healthdirect lists current national and state options on its mental health crisis support page.

Finding a service

The national RFDS what we do page gives an overview. For local access:

1. select the relevant region on the official RFDS website
2. check the current clinic or program page
3. ask whether a referral or appointment is required
4. confirm costs, eligibility, location and transport before attending.

For background, read about the RFDS and its history.