Regional Queensland's healthcare safety net has expanded further, with a new $31.8 million Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and LifeFlight aeromedical base now open in Mount Isa.
In operation for over six decades, the Mount Isa RFDS base has provided healthcare support to remote and rural Queenslanders when they need it the most.
The base covers the largest footprint in Queensland, and one of the largest in Australia, from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north and the Northern Territory border in the west to Hughenden in the east and Bedourie in the south.
In the 2023/24 financial year alone the Mount Isa runway hosted more than 2,300 RFDS flights, and transported over 1,000 patients, underscoring the significance of their services to remote and regional Queensland.
Now, through a $9.7 million contribution from the Albanese Government, a new base has officially opened - replacing the former aircraft hangar that was home to the city's RFDS operations since 1964.
The new base features three dedicated hangar bays, uplifted maintenance areas and dedicated patient transfer facilities.
This will significantly improve efficiencies and conditions for healthcare providers, and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
Importantly, the new base will allow the RFDS to expand their Mount Isa operations, with the project creating 10 new ongoing jobs in addition to the 43 supported during construction.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm:
"Our commitment to regional Australia is as strong as our commitment to healthcare, and the opening of this new aeromedical base is further evidence of that.
"The old hangar had been in operation since the sixties, and it's my hope that these new and improved facilities allow the RFDS to provide lifesaving support to regional Queenslanders for another six decades, at least.
"The Albanese Government is proud to be honouring and extending the legacy of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and LifeFlight in regional and remote Queensland."
Quotes attributable to RFDS (Queensland Section) CEO Meredith Staib:
"We know the Mount Isa base is a key emergency retrieval hub, but it also has growing Primary Health Care needs with six remote locations serviced weekly including Bedourie in the south, Camooweal in the west and Gregory Downs in the north.
"These patients are also provided with expert mental health support.
"The Mount Isa Primary Health Care team is vital to the health and wellbeing of people in some of Queensland's most isolated locations, carrying out over 4500 consultations last year.
"The RFDS (Queensland Section) continues to work closely with our partners, Queensland Health, Retrieval Services Queensland, Queensland Ambulance Service and LifeFlight to deliver the finest care to the furthest corner.
"As a sign of the important integration taking place between medical services, RFDS Doctors are now trained to carry out their lifesaving work on LifeFlight aircraft so the region can benefit from greater response capability."
Quotes attributable to LifeFlight Chair the Hon. Jim Elder:
"The base will help to ensure our commitment to provide equity of healthcare to all people, no matter where they live.
"The larger and better equipped hangar and crew quarters can now accommodate the latest AW139 helicopter, perfect for a range of complex rescue missions in this part of the world, while state-of-the-art engineering and maintenance facilities will provide support onsite.
"It's an historic day and LifeFlight acknowledges our partners RFDS, the LifeFlight North West Regional Advisory Committee for its tireless advocacy, Queensland Airports Limited, Newlands Group for an incredible build, and our State and Federal Government partners for backing the project.
"It will make a quantifiable difference to the communities we serve."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans:
"As the gateway to North West Queensland, we're proud of the role Mount Isa Airport plays in providing locals with access to critical medical care and this facility further strengthens that role.
"Connecting communities is at the heart of what we do and this facility will ensure the RFDS and LifeFlight can deliver essential aeromedical services to people across one of the largest and most remote regions in Queensland.
"We look forward to seeing the positive impact this joint facility will have on the wellbeing of local communities for years to come."
