New agreement with RFDS boosts aeromedical retrieval

A new agreement between Queensland Health and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) will boost services to Queenslanders living in rural, regional and remote areas.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the department and RFDS would bring three separate aeromedical service contracts under one umbrella

 “This amalgamation will increase aircraft interoperability that, in turn, will provide an increased fixed wing aeromedical retrieval network capacity,” Mr Springborg said.

 “It will also improve the responsiveness and efficiency of the aeromedical retrieval service for rural and remote Queenslanders.

“One contract governed the use for Department of Health purposes of RFDS aircraft located at the Cairns, Mount Isa and Charleville RFDS bases.

“The aircraft at these bases provide flying clinic services for the Commonwealth Government as well as aeromedical retrieval services for the Queensland Government.

“Under a second, separate contract, the RFDS maintains four aircraft at its bases at Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Brisbane exclusively for use for Queensland Government aeromedical work, both emergency and routine, up to 6,400 contracted hours.

“Under the third contract, the RFDS provides a second additional aircraft at each of its bases at Townsville, Rockhampton and Brisbane to be available for up to 12 hours a day for Queensland Government aeromedical work up to 3,785 flying hours.”

Mr Springborg made the announcement in Cairns during what he has dubbed ‘rural week’. It is one of several announcements he has made this week that focus on improving patient services in rural and remote areas. 

Following the signing of the MOU, the next step in the process for amalgamating the three contracts is to conduct a review of current operational efficiency.

Mr Springborg said the review would be conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and he hoped to be in a position to sign a formal amalgamated service agreement with the RFDS in October or November.

“This will certainly deliver a more seamless and efficient service to country Queensland,” he said.

Mr Springborg paid tribute to the RFDS and its Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mr Nino Di Marco for their support in helping deliver improved services.

“The RFDS is a much-loved and respected institution in rural Queensland that has saved the lives of thousands of people over the years and looked after the health of many thousands more,” he said.

“The broadening and deepening of the relationship between Queensland Health and the RFDS will ensure country residents continue to receive these lifesaving services.”

RFDS (Queensland) Chief Executive Officer Nino Di Marco said he welcomed the MOU and proposed new agreement with Queensland Health.

“This consolidated contract will give the RFDS greater flexibility to use our aircraft fleet and resources more efficiently and effectively, and in response to the needs of a state-wide retrieval service, rather than have them confined to a specific geographic location,” Mr Di Marco said.

“This common-sense, practical approach means Queenslanders in rural, regional and remote areas will benefit from the delivery of an even more efficient, responsive flying doctor service.

“RFDS is this year celebrating 85 years of providing vital health care services to rural and remote communities and we thank Queensland Health for this recent development in our long-standing association.”

[ENDS] 13 June 2013

Media contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284