Flying doctors hit the ground rolling
THE Royal Flying Doctor Service now has wheels as well as wings and can cater to the healthcare needs of Tasmanians in rural and remote areas impractical to reach by plane.
Two mobile health buses were unveiled at the RFDS headquarters at Evandale on Thursday. The decommissioned Metro buses were donated by the state government with the federal government contributing $100,000 to their fit-out.
RFDS primary health care manager Nicole Grose said versatile designs allowed the buses to be modified for a range of uses including as screening clinics, for blood pressure checks or for mental health services.
The spaces can be converted into colourful chillout zones to be used by the Youth Mental Health Team.
“We can flip them between lots of different uses,” Mrs Grose said.
RFDS chief John Kirwan said the concept came out of
Rotary Tasmania’s for Mental Health.
“It’s grown into a broader project,” he said.
“This will be great for uses in rural and remote areas.”
Mr Kirwan said demand for remote mental health services was “unfortunately going to grow” post COVID.
The buses have already been put to use with their completion and registration fast-tracked so they could be used as mobile coronavirus testing clinics.
Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said access to mental health services for young Tasmanians in remote areas was critical.
“The buses will enable people to access assessment support and early interventions in a safe, friendly environment while also reducing the stigma associated with accessing of mental health services,” she said.
Premier Peter Gutwein said the mobile health hubs could also be used for bushfire relief, immunisation programs or in health emergencies.
Muster far