Milestone for flying doctors

The Royal Flying Doctor Service will celebrate 90 years of helping the community at a ceremony in Horsham tomorrow.

Horsham Rural City mayor Pam Clarke said the celebration would be in the Horsham College auditorium in Baillie Street from 2pm.

“Horsham proudly supports the organisation and the vital work they do ensuring regional and rural Victorians have access to health services,” she said.

Founded by Victorian John Flynn, 2018 marks 90 years since the service’s first flight.

The service has grown from a single plane leased from Qantas, one doctor, and one pilot, to a fleet of 69 planes, 115 road service vehicles and more than 1400 professionals delivering emergency medical and primary health services across the nation.

Royal Flying Doctor Service chairman Denis Henry said the organisation’s 90th birthday was an important milestone.

“As Australia’s most reputable charity we are proud to be delivering health care across Australia, thanks to incredible generosity of supporters,” he said.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides a range of services to regional Victorians including telehealth, the rural women’s GP service, mobile eye care, mobile dental care, mental health programs and non-emergency patient transport.

In Horsham, the service has a non-emergency patient transport branch, offering patients specialised transport between care facilities and their homes.

“We are committed to building local partnerships and together create healthier communities,” Mr Henry said.