Australian Rural & Regional News found out more from RFDS Mount Isa Base Support Manager, Ducky Jeacocke. See below.
Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), Media Release, September 2024

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) is this month celebrating 60-years of service from its Mount Isa base.

Established in 1964, the Mount Isa Base covers a waiting room of more than 800,000 square kilometres, connecting the residents of this significant north-west Queensland region to leading, and often lifesaving, health services.

From Primary Health Care to emergency evacuations, the dedicated RFDS Mount Isa team has seen it all.

Over the last year alone, RFDS Mount Isa completed more than 2,300 landings, transported over 1,059 patients and conducted more than 4,000 patient consultations, with the base serving as the largest operational area of any RFDS base in Queensland. 

RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib said Mount Isa held a special place in the fabric of the Flying Doctor’s heritage.

“Mount Isa’s 60-year anniversary marks a momentous milestone, not just for the Flying Doctor as a near-100-year organisation, but more importantly, the hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders living in regional, rural and remote parts of the state,” Ms. Staib said.

“As one of the longest-serving RFDS Bases in Queensland, it’s rare to find a local resident who hasn’t been touched by the services of The Flying Doctor at some point in their lives – be it general GP check-ups and vaccinations right through to harrowing life-and-death emergency situations.

“The 60th anniversary of Mount Isa also serves as an important moment to recognise the hard work and commitment of the team who turn up day in and day out to serve their community.”

RFDS Mount Isa Base Support Manager Ducky Jeacocke said the anniversary celebration provides an opportunity to recognise the dedication of the team over the past six decades and their vital role in supporting some of the most remote communities in Australia.

“For 60 years, the Mount Isa Base has been at the heart of this community, not just as a service, but as a lifeline for families across north-west Queensland,” Ducky said.

“The dedication of our team, both past and present, is what makes every mission possible, and their unwavering commitment to our community is truly inspiring.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we remain deeply committed to continuing this legacy of care and support for many more years to come.”

Established in 1928 in Cloncurry, the RFDS has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations.

The Mount Isa Base provides a range of essential medical services including remote consultations, aeromedical retrievals and primary health care clinics incorporating general practice, child and family health, Indigenous health, mental health and health promotion.

By offering a broad range of services, including regular clinics and telehealth consultations, the team overcomes the isolation barriers that many communities face, ensuring that essential healthcare is accessible to all.

Recently the first sod was turned on a new base for the region which is expected to open by mid-next year, enabling the whole Mount Isa team to work from the same location for the first time.

In Queensland, the RFDS operates from nine bases at Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Charleville, Longreach, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Roma, and Townsville.

Australian Rural & Regional News found out more from RFDS Mount Isa Base Support Manager, Ducky Jeacocke

ARR.News: What was the base like 60 years ago compared to now? How has it improved?

Ducky Jeacocke: The RFDS Mount Isa base has changed a lot over the past 60 years. In fact, when it first opened in 1928 the base was actually located in Cloncurry. Once the population in the region began to expand with the mining boom in 1964, the service was moved, and the Mount Isa base was officially established.

We’ve seen a number of changes to both the needs of our rural and remote communities, and our ability to provide essential services to them. In the early days we were only able to communicate with a bicycle-powered pedal radio and a basic medical kit. Today, the base has cutting-edge aircraft and advanced medical technology that enables the RFDS staff to treat patients during aeromedical retrievals and patient transfers.

As well as this, RFDS Mount Isa doesn’t just respond to emergency events. We also deliver comprehensive health care services including routine check-ups, mental health programs, and mobile dental care. This level of care is really important in areas where access to health services is often limited.

The most significant change, though, is that now our base can serve a waiting room of more than 800,000 people in some of the most remote regions of Queensland.

RFDS Mount Isa has come a long way since the early days, and more are set to come. Most recently, we’ve started construction on a new, state-of-the-art aeromedical support facility that’s going to make a huge difference for both our staff and patients.

One of the most exciting additions is the new patient transfer area. In the past, patients had to wait out on the tarmac—which wasn’t ideal, especially given the extreme weather we often see in the outback. This new facility will provide shelter and a much more comfortable experience for patients waiting to be transferred.

On top of that, the new facility will bring all of our staff together under one roof, creating a better environment for them to work in. The upgraded clinical areas will give our team the tools they need to provide even better care to the community, and the patient transfer facility will ensure we can help people quickly and comfortably, no matter the weather.

It’s all part of our commitment to keeping pace with the growing needs of the region, while continuing to improve the level of care we provide to Queensland’s most remote areas.