RFDS growth taking flight
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is spreading its wings to deliver more healthcare services across North Queensland.
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network said the iconic Australian air-medical service was now the lead provider of after-hours telehealth services across the Cairns, Townsville and Mackay regions.
RFDS Queensland CEO Meredith Staib said it was proud to be supporting NQPHN in an increased capacity.
“Telehealth services support better access to specialists, facilitate earlier diagnosis for patients, and have also been proven to decrease the number of aeromedical retrievals and hospital admissions,” she said.
In the last financial year
RFDS Queensland provided more than 17,000 telehealth consultations across the state, a six per cent increase on the previous year.
Ms Staib said the new service complemented its after-hours primary care already provided in North Queensland.
NQPHN said a recent assessment confirmed a lack of comprehensive after-hours services, with people finding it difficult to access after-hours care, particularly where services were already limited during normal hours.
NQPHN’S After Hours Primary Care Program aims to address that issue “by delivering accessible and effective primary health care to people whose health condition can’t wait for treatment during normal hours”.
Flying Doctor replaces outgoing service provider House Call Doctor. NQPHN CEO
Robin Whyte said Flying Doctor was selected as the lead provider “following a robust tendering process”.
“There is a significant need for timely access to after-hours healthcare across our region and we are pleased to be working with RDFS to deliver this important service,” she said.
“RFDS has been providing after-hours telehealth services in the Torres and Cape region and with the newly awarded contract, their services will expand across the Cairns and Hinterland, Townsville, and Mackay regions.
“Vulnerable populations, such as First Nations communities and those living in rural and remote areas, will also be a priority.”
Asked about additional RFDS staffing resources, a spokeswoman confirmed an “expansion of the RFDS acute GP after-hours service”.