Over more than six decades, members of the Royal Flying Doctor Service based in Derby have been dispatched to countless disaster scenes across northwestern WA, and saved countless lives … including those of grey nomads.
But that proud history will end shortly as the base, which opened in 1955, is ‘transitioned’ to the new RFDS base in Broome, 220 kilometres away.
The RFDS said the announcement highlighted the need to respond to population and demographic changes in patient demand, and it stressed there would be no change to the delivery of services and emergency response in the Kimberley.
“Like any business, the RFDS is constantly reviewing and evolving its operations,” a statement from the RFDS said.
However, Shire of Derby/West Kimberley president Elsia Archer told the West Australian newspaper that she was disappointed because the council had historically ‘bent over backwards’ to support the local RFDS.
The RFDS said 14 roles – doctors, pilots and nurses – would be moved to Broome and one administrative post would be made redundant.
The Derby base was expected to fully transition operations to Broome by the end of March 2018, with the entire move anticipated for completion by the end of that year.
I can understand the logic of a Broome based RFDS – They are a fabulous asset to have in the remotest parts of Australia. Let us hope that the Broome based Mineral Resources companies acknowledge their acquisition with increased funding.