But as the RFDS approaches its centenary, CEO Scott Chapman is keen to emphasise that the iconic service does much more than ‘fly doctors’. 

Indeed it may come as a surprise to learn that there is just one RFDS airplane in Victoria – and more than 120 patient transport vehicles. 

That’s because, as Mr Chapman explains, while other states have vast desert landscapes to deal with, RFDS Victoria helps patients overcome other barriers: "such as affordability, culture, knowledge and access".

It does this predominantly through its road fleet and 500 staff across all parts of Victoria, providing patient transport, primary health and community transport. 

“Ambulance Victoria respond to the emergencies on the ground, we back up to do the non-emergency work so that they aren’t distracted by that,” Mr Chapman says.  

RFDS’ primary health service includes mobile dentists and other specialist medical equipment.

“[Primary health] is where we take medical professionals and allied health professionals into small communities to provide services they don't have,” he says.  

“We have endocrinologists, GPs, mental health workers, dentists, speech therapists. You name it, we employ them and take them into communities and provide services mainly in partnership with local health services who can't get those staff.” 

Another pillar is community transport. That involves volunteers picking people up and taking them to medical appointments: “We stay with them and bring them back,” Mr Chapman says. 

COVID-19

The pandemic heightened RFDS’ importance but also pivoted its operations. Staff were shifted to assist in the logistics of personal protective equipment, testing clinics and vaccinations in remote areas alongside COVID-19 patient transport. 

“Interestingly, if you look at the flying doctors around the country, we've done more transports than all the rest put together – for two reasons,” Mr Chapman says.  

“One, unfortunately we had more cases in Victoria. But secondly, because we have that road capacity that most of the other flying doctors don’t have.” 

Future

“[RFDS is] a brand that people trust. It stands for quality, trust, reliability, and going the extra distance,” Mr Chapman says. 

At 94 years old, RFDS is continually enhancing its proud heritage that has seen it won many trusted charity and reputable brand awards by constantly adapting to society’s changing trends and needs. 

“We have to move with the times. It's about addressing contemporary health issues, particularly overcoming isolation that can lead to anxiety, depression and worse than that.  

“For us, our future strategy looks at three things: better physical health, better mental health, and better social connections. 

“So rather than being at the bottom of the cliff with our ambulance, we want to be at the top of the cliff with services that prevent people even moving towards the edge.” 

Network

To enable to continue delivering its services, all of which are free of charge, RFDS relies on community support. While it receives some government support, most of its operations are covered through fundraising. 

Mr Chapman explains RFDS joined the Melbourne Chamber “to contribute in forums or in organisations where the betterment of Melbourne and the betterment of Victoria is at the fore for us directly.  

“But unashamedly we get access to fantastic professional development and training for our staff and our executive.  

“We also get the opportunity to let people know that we do exist in Victoria, because most people just think of flying doctors and desert, and hopefully we can make connections where we can get either more supporters or more corporate involvement. And that's been the case as well.” 

More information on supporting RFDS Victoria is available here.