Rio Tinto supports “Royal Flying Doctor Service” to build an aeromedical training hub in Queensland

Rio Tinto and The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has entered into a new partnership that will help out the Bundaberg region of Queensland in becoming a training ground for aeromedical professionals from across Australia.

Rio Tinto has assured $1.25 million to RFDS Queensland over five years, underlining the company’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders and to providing resources to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will not only enhance the remote delivery of primary health care and mental health services across the state, but it will also contribute to the construction of a world-class Aeromedical Retrieval Simulation Hub in Bundaberg.

The hub will use virtual and augmented reality and high-fidelity immersive training scenarios to attract and train aeromedical professionals for the benefit of the whole state.

Kellie Parker, MD, Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Operations Managing said: “The Company was proud to extend a long-standing partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Queensland.”

“Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our people and communities, and the Flying Doctor provides a vital service to remote and rural areas.”

Meredith Staib, CEO, Royal Flying Doctor Service said: “The service was pleased to welcome Rio Tinto as a principal partner.”

She added: “The $1.25 million RFDS Queensland partnership would also go towards the RFDS Queensland’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund as well as the construction and maintenance of a new patient transfer facility in Weipa and maintenance of the existing patient transfer facility in Gladstone.”

“This new million-dollar partnership will allow our service to deliver even greater levels of care across the state. Improving our infrastructure does require significant investment and strategic partnerships such as this will allow us to do just that. We are incredibly grateful to Rio Tinto for their commitment to helping us deliver even better health outcomes for Queenslanders.”