Kimberley community to receive new Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft

23/12/03
The Kimberley will receive a new Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft, with the State Government announcing $1.5million towards the aircraft's purchase today.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the contribution would resolve the ongoing problems with the current aircraft, being used in the Kimberley region.
"Both the RFDS and Federal Government will match the contribution towards the $4.5million aircraft, which is an excellent result for the communities in the Kimberley," Mr McGinty said.
"The RFDS plays an essential role in providing access to health services for regional and remote communities, attending to more than 36,000 patients across the State.
"Last financial year, some 9,454 patients were attended to from the Derby base alone.
"This contribution will allow the RFDS to continue their good work in the future.
"The new aircraft will provide faster access to expertise and treatment by transferring patients within and from the Kimberley to Perth.
"The contribution of $1.5million over three years reflects this Government's commitment to providing health care services to regional Western Australia."
Mr McGinty acknowledged the contribution made by the WA community, to RFDS fundraising activities throughout the State.
"Fundraising by the RFDS has enabled them to contribute towards this replacement aircraft and towards several other aircraft throughout the State in recent years," the Minister said.
"However, there will still be more work to do in the coming years and I encourage the community to keep-up their support of this very important service."
The existing aircraft is more than 25 years old and will be replaced with a Pilatus PC12 aircraft that is the standard RFDS aircraft.
Members of the RFDS will travel to Switzerland in February to collect the aircraft, which will then be refitted. It should be operational by June 2004.
Minister's office: 9220 5000