What’s Happening?
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) recorded another busy year of care during the 2025-26 financial year.
Its teams delivered aeromedical, Primary Health Care, mobile dental, mental health and telehealth services across Queensland. Rising demand kept aircraft crews, clinicians and support teams active across regional, rural and remote communities.
Why It Matters
People outside major centres often travel long distances for routine appointments, specialist treatment or urgent care.
RFDS flights, clinics and remote consultations bring services closer while transporting patients who need care elsewhere. The results show how strongly North Queensland communities continue to rely on the statewide network.
Local Impact
Townsville remained one of Queensland’s busiest Flying Doctor bases during 2025-26.
The base transported 2,346 patients, while its aircraft covered 1,470,500 kilometres across 3,920 flying hours. This workload reflects Townsville’s major role in connecting northern patients with medical care across Queensland.
By The Numbers
- Across Queensland, RFDS delivered more than 81,000 occasions of care, averaging 223 services each day.
- Teams transported 13,949 patients, an increase of 947 people, or 7.28 per cent, from the previous year.
- The service’s 26 King Air aircraft flew 8,963,306 kilometres across 25,067 hours. This was 395,240 more kilometres and over 1,000 more hours than a year earlier.
Zoom In
Townsville’s workload was among the highest recorded by the Queensland bases included in the results.
Only Rockhampton covered more distance, while Rockhampton and Brisbane transported more patients. Townsville’s 3,920 flying hours were 15 below Brisbane and trailed only Brisbane and Rockhampton.
RFDS Queensland Section chief executive Meredith Staib said the workload reflected rising demand across remote communities.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service exists to serve those who simply don’t have access to the type of medical care taken for granted in larger rural centres and cities,” Ms Staib said. “We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of patients cared for by our teams and the distances our aircraft have had to travel to get them the help they need. These results highlight the vital work our team do and why we continue to provide the finest care to the furthest corners. I am humble and proud to lead a team that’s spread right across Queensland, a team that turns up for patients with care and compassion, day after day.”
Zoom Out
Beyond aeromedical transport, Primary Health Care teams completed 4,716 clinics at around 30 locations. Those clinics delivered more than 22,000 consultations across Queensland.
Services reached Eulo in the south-west, Dajarra in central Queensland and Lockhart River in the far north.
The base figures provide further context for Townsville’s role within the statewide Flying Doctor network.
Patient feedback from the 2026 RFDS Patient and Client Experience Survey supported the activity results.
One patient explained how the service had supported their healthcare for five decades.
“For 50 years the RFDS has looked after my health care, without it, I would have to travel 500km by car (no bus service here) or get on a plane if available. I would not survive without them.”
Other respondents praised the staff and their understanding of the distances faced by rural communities.
“Always friendly and professional staff who seem to relate well to country people and understand our distance barrier. We are incredibly lucky to have the health care provided by the RFDS out here where mainstream medical services are not readily available.”
Several patients also recalled the care they received during frightening medical situations.
“I want to thank the RFDS team. I was quite scared but the team took good care of me and made sure I was comfortable and looked after. The care I received was above and beyond more than I could have hoped for and I am very grateful to the pilot and staff that helped save my life. Thank god for the RFDS.”
What To Look For Next?
RFDS will continue providing aeromedical flights, Primary Health Care clinics and telehealth services across Queensland.
If demand remains near current levels, Townsville is likely to retain an important role in the northern network. The 2026-27 results will show whether patient transports, flying distance and hours continue rising.
