• HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, announces major national partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
• $3 million commitment over three years to fund aircraft and lifesaving medical technologies to ensure the delivery of essential primary healthcare and services to every corner of Australia.
• HCF branding unveiled on RFDS aircraft (known as `Hotel’ to crews). Hotel flies over 800,000 kms per year, airlifting four patients daily for urgent treatment.

Tuesday, 5 December 2023: – HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund has today announced a new major national partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to improve healthcare access and outcomes for rural and remote Australians.

HCF CEO, Sheena Jack said the partnership represents the union of two trusted Australian health organisations and firmly aligns with the fund’s vision to improve access to affordable, quality healthcare for our members and all Australians.

“As one of this nation’s original for-purpose organisations, we’re focused on making decisions which have a positive health impact on our members, communities and the environment. We’re proud to be partnering with the RFDS to help address the clear disparity in healthcare outcomes for families and communities living in the bush,” Ms Jack said.

“Whether that’s through health promotion and education programs to flexible treatment and support to help manage the growing burden of chronic disease, we want to be a trusted health partner for all Australians, ensuring access to quality cover and care when they need it most.”

“We know preventive healthcare is of critical importance, particularly among rural and regional communities and together we’re committed to making an impact on the ground through access to programs targeting primary health, oral health, mental health, Aboriginal health and women’s health.

RFDS Federation Executive Director Frank Quinlan said HCF’s contribution will help fund life-saving medical technologies and the delivery of essential primary healthcare to every corner of Australia.

“The recent RFDS Best For The Bush report showed that men who live in remote Australia are on average expected to live almost 14 years less than their city counterparts. For a rural woman, the life expectancy difference is 19 years,” Mr Quinlan said.

“We know access to comprehensive care at every age and stage is key to managing chronic disease, preventing hospitalisation and supporting happier, healthier, longer lives. Across Australia, the RFDS assists someone every two minutes.

“The RFDS is honoured to partner with HCF in a shared commitment to our communities. HCF’s support will go a long way to helping RFDS as we remove barriers to whole-of-life healthcare for remote and rural Australians.”

Recent RFDS patient Ash Williams attended today’s launch event along with his partner Laura McCarthy and two sons Henry, 13, and George, 6. Earlier this year, Ash was airlifted from his remote sheep station after breaking two ribs and four vertebrae in a serious motorbike accident.

Now in recovery, Mr Williams is back at home and at work.

“I'm not quite sure what Ash’s recovery or treatment would have looked like if we didn't have access to the care the RFDS provided,” Ms McCarthy said.

HCF branding was officially unveiled on the RFDS aeromedical aircraft VH-FNH (Foxtrot-November-Hotel, known as “Hotel” to crews). Transporting crews across South Australia and the Northern Territory, Hotel flies over 800,000 kilometres per year and airlifts four patients every day for urgent medical treatment.

In support of our social mission to build healthier communities, HCF’s $3 million commitment over three years will help fund the upkeep of aircraft and lifesaving technologies, ensuring the delivery of crucial primary healthcare and mental health services to every corner of Australia.

ENDS

For more information on any of the projects or for any further media enquiries please contact:

Lindsay Carter (HCF Head of Brand & Content) 0457 101 176 lcarter@hcf.com.au

Lana Mitchell (RFDS Director of Brand and Communications) 0401 946 282
 

ABOUT HCF

HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund protecting Australians since 1932, covers more than 1.9 million members with health and life insurance, and travel and pet insurance. HCF has been awarded Outstanding Value Health Insurance by Canstar eight years in a row from 2016-2023. On average over the last ten years, HCF has paid out more cents in every dollar in premiums to members as benefits than the industry average. To learn more about HCF go to hcf.com.au/about-us

ABOUT THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has been saving lives in rural and remote Australia for 95 years.

Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, the RFDS delivers emergency aeromedical and comprehensive community healthcare services to people who live, work and travel throughout Australia every day (and night) of the year. Established in 1928 by the Reverend John Flynn, the RFDS has grown to become the world’s largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisation.

Nationally, its vital services are delivered by a dedicated workforce of over 2,300 staff, a fleet of 79 aircraft located at 23 aeromedical bases, 180 road vehicles and four remote primary health facilities. Today, the RFDS delivers more than 380,000 episodes of care across Australia every year – equivalent of assisting someone every two minutes.

The RFDS is a not-for-profit
organisation. While supported by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, the RFDS relies on bequests, sponsorships and donations to bridge the gap in its operational funding and to finance its capital-raising program for the replacement of aircraft, medical equipment and other major capital initiatives.