Press Release

Issued by Royal Flying Doctor Service.

October 14, 2015

The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Western Australia has recently formed an alliance with the WA Police Air Wing to share crucial air strip information.

The RFDS accesses almost 750 airstrips around the State and through the Statewide Airstrip Survey and Evaluation Program sponsored by the CBH Group, the condition of these airstrips are reviewed regularly to ensure they are regularly maintained, and safe for aircraft landings.

RFDS chief executive officer Grahame Marshall says that as many of these are remote airstrips and often not used regularly, it is important to ensure that they are accessible and safe for the flying doctor to be able to land on when delivering essential medical care, or evacuating patients from remote locations.

“We are now looking to also share and exchange this regularly updated airstrip information with the WA Police Air Wing Service,” Mr Marshall said.

“The RFDS has provided aero medical and primary health care services to Western Australians for the past 80 years, and this alliance facilitated by the RFDS between CBH and the Police Air Wing continues to support the health and safety of people travelling, working or living anywhere in the vast state of WA, covering more than 2.5 million square kilometres.

“Initiating this collaboration with CBH and the WA Police is another example of how the RFDS continues its leadership role in delivering life-saving outcomes to the people of Western Australia.”

CBH Group CEO Dr Andy Crane said he was very pleased that CBH had been able to support this valuable RFDS program regularly evaluating the condition of remote airstrips to ensure the RFDS can support regional and rural families and communities.

“We have worked closely with the flying doctor to identify ways CBH can support them, and now through this airstrip evaluation program they will be able to also share this valuable information with the WA Police Air Wing.

“This is a great example of collaborative partners working together to bring additional benefit to our growers in Wheatbelt communities."

WA Police Chief Pilot Senior Sergeant John Raphael said sharing of information like this will assist the Police Air Wing with the ability to provide an increased level of safety and security right across WA.

“This information is extremely valuable and useful for WA Police if we need to travel to any of these remote strips for any normal or emergency purpose,” Senior Sergeant Raphael said.

The RFDS provides emergency care, lifesaving outcomes, and health treatment and advice to almost 70,000 people in Western Australia every year and the need for their services continues to rise every year.

The RFDS has this year launched its Aero Medical Fund; a major capital raising campaign designed to secure the long-term future of the flying doctor, by continuing to improve capability and build a stronger and more sustainable financial foundation into the future.