Around the mid 1920’s, the pedal radio was invented. These were distributed to many remote cattle and sheep stations, missions and remote settlements. There was a great need for medical care to these remote areas, so the idea for the Royal Flying Doctor Service was formed. The company that would become Qantas Airlines gave them their first aircraft, VH-UER a De Havilland DH.50.
Today, there is still a great need for medical care in these remote areas. Royal Flying Doctor Service provides
- Emergency – primary aeromedical response to accident or illness
- Emergency – secondary aeromedical evacuation and medical retrieval services
- Telehealth – 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, medical consultation services by radio, telephone or video call
- Primary health care clinics – the transportation of a medical doctor for regular clinical visits to remote areas. Clinics include general practice, nursing services, child and maternal health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, Rural Women’s GP Service, mental health, dental services, allied health and medical specialists.
- Consultation, communication, and support for rural and remote doctors across Australia
- Inter-hospital transfer of patients
- Education and training opportunities and midwifery scholarship
Such a wonderful service!
TOAL-Trip of a Lifetime 