Dubbo supporters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) are celebrating a victory after the service was awarded another 10-year contract for the Air Ambulance Service.
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NSW health minister Carmel Tebbutt announced the State Government’s decision yesterday following months of lobbying and debate after a foreign aviation company also tendered for the contract.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service has provided the aircraft, pilots and engineers for NSW Ambulance for the past seven years and with this new contract will continue to provide them for the next 10.”
Dubbo RFDS support group president Terry Clark said they were celebrating at the base yesterday.
“We’re very relieved,” he said. “We didn’t really know which way it was going to go especially after the Victorian Government went the other way.
“To lose both states would have been devastating.”
Mr Clark said the Dubbo base would continue as normal with another 10-year contract when the current one expires in 2012.
“What a way to end the year,” he said. “Seeing the support from people gave me such a feeling of reward and humbleness.
“People who have been touched by the service and people who just got behind us voiced their support to politicians and to the public. We’re so pleased.”
Dubbo MP Dawn Fardell said she was delighted at yesterday’s victory.
“In announcing that the Royal Flying Doctor Service will retain the NSW Air Ambulance contract, the State Government has heard the voice of the people and made the right decision,” she said.
RFDS South Eastern Section executive director Clyde Thompson said the decision secured the Flying Doctor’s position as the leading aeromedical service provider in Australia.
“We could not be happier with the outcome, and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Ambulance Service of NSW on the delivery of this vital service to rural, regional and remote residents,” he said.
Opposition health spokesperson Jillian Skinner praised the hardworking professionals who would now be able to continue their work.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service is an iconic service because of the amazing contribution it has made to the lives of Australians for decades, particularly in regional and remote areas,” she said.
But Nationals spokesperson for western NSW Kevin Humphries took the opportunity to slam the State Government for even considering dumping the RFDS.
“The RFDS is a highly successful operation that makes a valuable contribution to communities right across NSW,” he said.
“State Labor has shown that it can’t manage standard emergency services, let alone air ambulance services.”
carly.dolan
@ruralpress.com
