What is the Royal Flying Doctor Service?
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is an Australian aeromedical organization that provides emergency and primary health care to people in remote and rural areas. It was founded by the Reverend John Flynn in 1928.
John Flynn was a Presbyterian minister who saw how isolated families in the outback lived hundreds of kilometres from the nearest doctor. He dreamed of a mantle of safety that would bring medical care to remote areas.
The service began in 1928 with a single aircraft based at Cloncurry in Queensland. The aircraft, named Victory, was leased from Qantas, and the first flying doctor was Kenneth St Vincent Welch.
Radios and the outback
Communication was a major challenge. Alfred Traeger invented a pedal-powered radio that allowed remote stations to call for help. These radios also helped create the School of the Air for children in isolated areas.
Today the service operates a large fleet of aircraft from bases around Australia, providing emergency evacuations, clinics, telehealth, dental care and mental health services. It is a non-profit organization supported by governments and donations.
The Flying Doctor is one of the most respected institutions in Australia. John Flynn is commemorated on the Australian $20 note, which includes images of an aircraft and a pedal radio.
Did You Know?
The service received its royal prefix in 1955 and is often simply called the Flying Doctor.