Royal Flying Doctor Service says planning can progress now $7.5m funding has been confirmed for Geraldton base

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has welcomed the State Government’s confirmation it will invest $7.5 million into setting up a new base in Geraldton — its busiest location in WA for patient transfers. The Labor Government promised the funds to relocate the RFDS’s Mid West hub from its Meekatharra base to Geraldton during the State election campaign in early 2025. No funding for the project was allocated in June’s State Budget, however in last month’s mid-year Budget review $7.5m was factored in. The RFDS says the Geraldton Health Campus is its single busiest location for patient retrievals in WA, with crews transferring two to three patients every day. The hospital also refers almost one in 10 RFDS transfers Statewide — about 900 patients a year. After the hospital redevelopment is complete, a boost in inward patients to Geraldton is expected, while it’s anticipated outward-bound patients will remain steady. “This investment will help ensure people living in the Mid West and Gascoyne have access to the care they need, when they need it. Establishing an RFDS base in Geraldton is a natural next step in strengthening services for the region,” RFDS WA chief executive Judith Barker said. “A local base will allow our crews to respond more efficiently while also supporting the growing demand at the Geraldton Health Campus.” The RFDS says it’s working with the City of Greater Geraldton to find suitable locations at Geraldton Airport and “looks forward to progressing planning now that funding certainty has been provided”. The organisation will also work with Meekatharra and Geraldton communities to ensure a smooth transition without interruption. It has promised there will be no cut in services to Meekatharra or surrounding communities, including both patient transfers and remote primary health services. The RFDS has consulted with the community, as well as local stakeholders including the Abrolhos Islands Body Corporate Group, City of Greater Geraldton, Mid West Development Commission and Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, on the need for an enhanced presence in Geraldton. In 2024, the RFDS transferred and provided in-flight medical care to 10,356 patients across WA — the equivalent of about 28 patients everyday — flying more than 8.5 million kilometres in the process. The RFDS has five bases in WA — Jandakot, Meekatharra, Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland.