May 26, 2015
One group smiling after the recent Federal Budget is the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The RFDS received a $20 million increase in funding to about $68 million per year for each of the next two years.
“Remote residents see doctors at half the rate of city residents. Death rates in remote areas are a third higher than in cities,” RFDS CEO Martin Laverty said.
“The Budget announcement allows the Flying Doctor to continue to retrieve the injured or ill and provide intensive care in the air. It allows fly-in, fly-out GP and nurse clinics to deliver primary care.”
The RFDS recently marked its 87th birthday earlier this month – and the extra funding gave them even more reasons to celebrate.
“The Budget provided at least two years certainty that health services in remote areas will continue,” Mr Laverty said.
The Budget also included new capital funding for remote airstrip improvements.
“The $33.7 million four-year Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program will see improvements made to runways used by the Flying Doctor for medical evacuations,” Mr Laverty said.
“Kangaroos and emus have a place on the coat of arms. They have no place on an airstrip in a medical emergency. The Airstrip Upgrade funds will provide roo fences and other safety measures.
“The Flying Doctor is grateful to Health Minister Sussan Ley and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss for securing new funding in an otherwise tight Budget.
“On her first day as Health Minister, Sussan Ley said she would focus on remote and rural health. She’s delivered on that promise by securing $20 million extra for remote health and aviation.
“Warren Truss, with Ministerial responsibility for regional Australia and aviation, worked to ensure remote area airstrips could also be upgraded.
“The Flying Doctor is committed to working with the Health Department on efficiency and effectiveness to ensure funding beyond the next two years is secured.”
