Royal Flying Doctor Service

WINNER CHARITY

“It gives back to the community the most.” MALE, 30-39, NSW “Always there when you need it.” MALE, 40-59, QLD “Longstanding part of Australia’s medical history with an extraordinary purpose.” FEMALE, 18-29, WA

FORMED BY THE REVEREND JOHN FLYNN IN 1928 with the aim of extending the ‘mantle of safety’ to those who live, work and travel in the bush, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has been there for people in rural and remote Australia ever since, because it believes that where you live should not determine your health status and life expectancy. By providing ongoing primary health and emergency medical services to those who live in the outback for the past 94 years, the RFDS has been reducing this disparity in health outcomes. As a national health charity, the RFDS works closely with local communities to tailor health services, such as GP and nurse clinics, dental services, telehealth for chronic-disease management, mental health services, allied health services and emergency medical care, and has contact with more than 1000 patients a day. With a fleet of 79 aircraft and 163 road-service vehicles, the RFDS delivers services across 7.69 million square kilometres. As part of Australia’s national health service, the RFDS has been involved in the pandemic response. This has included respiratory clinics, COVID-19 testing stations, transporting COVID cases to hospitals, and the roll-out of vaccines to remote communities, working closely with Aboriginal Medical Services in a community-led approach.