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Royal Flying Doctor Service celebrates 95 years of operation

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The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) will celebrate its 95th anniversary of operation on 17 May 2023, as the world-famous organisation edges closer to a centenary of service.

As the world’s oldest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisation, Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) CEO Greg Sam said it is with great pride that RFDS is serving more people and communities than ever before with a wider array of health care services.

“The Reverend John Flynn had a vision to provide a ‘mantle of safety’ for the people of the outback and almost 100 years on, his vision continues to be realised,” Mr Sam said.

“It doesn’t matter if you are living, working or just travelling through outback Australia, if you find yourself in a health emergency, we will be there for you.”

“While we began as an emergency retrieval service, today it is about much more. Within the South Eastern Section we offer GP clinics, extensive mental health and alcohol and other drug services, dental services and reproductive health services.”

From bases at Broken Hill and Dubbo the RFDS provides more than 85,000 cases of care in and around NSW every year, as well as performing non-emergency patient transfers, interhospital transfers and contracted aeromedical service delivery.

“There are people who receive all of their healthcare needs from the RFDS. It’s something we’re extremely proud of, and we thank our volunteers, partners and donors for ensuring we can continue to provide such a comprehensive range of services.”

Mr Sam said much has changed in the last 95 years, including the cost of delivery, growing complexity of healthcare needs in our rural and regional areas, and RFDS’s ability to effect real change.

“What has not changed is our dedication to providing high quality healthcare to people who would otherwise have very limited access due to their isolation. We’ve been doing it for 95 years and we look forward to being of service for many more years to come,” Mr Sam said. 

Wilcannia News June 2023

This article appeared in the Wilcannia News, June 2023.

Related story: Wilcannia and the Flying Doctor

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