Australia invests $522m for expanded aeromedical services

The funding is set to increase frontline staffing and capacity over a decade. 

The Australian government is investing more than $522m (A$800) in a span of over 10 years to expand aeromedical services across regional Western Australia.

Through a signed agreement with the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA (RFDS WA), the initiative is set to increase frontline staffing, with over 21 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions added. 

This expansion includes additional clinical teams, such as doctors and nurses, as well as pilots.

Moreover, this investment aims to improve the capacity at RFDS WA's Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland bases for better emergency response.

This development builds on existing partnerships with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) and St John Ambulance WA, which emphasises data and resource sharing. 

“Under this arrangement, specialist medical and nursing staff from WACHS will work with operations staff from transport providers and use real-time data to co-ordinate patient transfers more effectively,” the government said.

A$1 = $0.65