The Western Australia section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS WA), the Australian aeromedical operator, has recently completed its first medical evacuation from an offshore rig near Darwin, as part of the expansion of its aeromedical retrieval capabilities through a new partnership with global offshore service provider PHI Aviation. This collaboration extends RFDS WA's offshore medevac services to support oil and gas client operations in the Bonaparte Basin.

Key highlights of the expanded service include a dedicated doctor and paramedic/nurse retrieval team stationed at PHI's Darwin base; the team provides rapid medical evacuations for critical cases in remote offshore areas, and search and rescue operations; and this builds on RFDS WA's medical evacuation services from PHI's Broome base.

The partnership with PHI strengthens RFDS WA's position as a leader in remote healthcare, serving the world's largest and most remote health jurisdiction. It also generates additional revenue through a profit-for-purpose model, supporting RFDS WA's mission to provide vital medical services to the communities of Western Australia.

RFDS WA conducts over 10,000 aeromedical retrievals annually, and this extension enhances its capacity to save lives in even more remote locations. The collaboration with PHI Aviation opens doors for potential partnerships with other companies operating in the region, to further extend RFDS WA's reach and impact.