RFDS lands in Texas
THE Royal Flying Doctor Service has made a return to Texas after more than 15 years following the recertification of the town’s air-strip in what has been hailed a win for the region.
Queensland Ambulance Service officer-in-charge at Texas Peter Solomon said the first RFDS plane landed two weeks ago on the rural tarmac - the first time in more than 15 years.
“Since then there have been two (landings) in the past two weeks,” he said.
“It’s a significant benefit to the people of Texas as it would have been up to a two-hour turnaround to Inglewood previously for a retrieval trip.
“Service-delivery wise and coverage for the Queensland Ambulance Service, it’s a big win and also for the patients to get them to the help they need much quicker.”
Extensive consultation had been held between the QAS, Goondiwindi Regional Council and the RFDS to shore up the service.
“We service just under 10,000sq km and we’ve got about 3500 permanent residents in that catchment,” Mr Solomon said.
“It’s a huge achievement and a credit to the Goondiwindi Regional Council and the RFDS who worked in consultation.”
While never without an ambulance, reducing the travel time for patient retrievals in Texas with the RFDS able to land in the town.
Landings require good weather conditions but Mr Solomon said he was hopeful of upgrades in the future.