Royal Flying Doctor Service

John

I think you will fined the RFDS is a free service run by donations and Government money. But if for some reason you need them I'm sure they would appreciate a Donation.

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Cheers

Richard

John
From the RFDS (Queensland) website :- "Royal Flying Doctor Service is a not for profit organisation delivering a variety of health services free of charge to those living, working or travelling throughout rural, remote and coastal Queensland." I can only assume it is the same throughout Oz.

teege

RFDS is free, but ambulance transport to and from their services isn't. Say you are flown to the nearest hospital, collected at the airport by an ambulance, you would have to pay for that ambulance.

I had a serious (but not life threatening) accident in rural SA in 2001.
I was transported from the accident site to a local hospital by ambulance.
From local hospital to airstrip by ambulance.
From airstrip to Adelaide by RFDS.
From Adelaide airort to Hospital by ambulance.

I recieved no bills.

If you want to take a picture of our OKA196 Motorhome (as many do), there is a gold coin donation requested into the RFDS collection tin that we carry for the purpose.
Never had a refusal.....

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

I can't clarify re the transfers, as we have membership of our local St John's. We have never been charged for transfers at the Perth end either, have not had to fill in any forms to prove membership, nor even been asked if we have membership. It probably comes under 'inter-hospital transfers' for which the hospital sending the patient must pay the ambulance fee (in WA anyway).

As i understand it RFDS flights are basically covered by Medicare, but equipment and capital costs is from fund raising, including replacement planes.

Motherhen

I was badly hurt in the Kimberlies in 98 , Flying doctor landed on the bitumen near fitzroy took me to Derby , then to Perth ..
No charge . From that day on I donate $1000 a year to the RFDS.

Hi John,

I also am a member of Teachers Health (top hospital and extras) which covers me for ambulance. I would think you would be too, no matter what level of cover you have with them.
You should be able to clarify this with a phone call to them on Monday.

As you will see from others replies, RFDS should not cost you, so you shouldnt have any worries. They rely on donations and other fundraising I think. We donate at every opportunity when travelling in the outback but fortunately haven't had to use their services to date.
Regards,
heather

Thank you one and all for your replies I have rung the health fund and I am covered for air and ambulance and hospital Australia wide but the reason I was concerned was an ad I saw and I quote:- "Not all health funds/States provide Australia wide coverage. Does it cover the Royal Flying Doctor Service? To avoid great financial hardship, check your cover before leaving."
But I feel fine now we are heading to the Cape in July and just wanted to be sure.
John and Sue