A re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will commence good faith negotiations with the Royal Flying Doctor Service within our first 30 days of taking office, on a long-term strategic partnership to support health services in Tasmania.

This will ensure the important services that the RFDS provides to rural and regional communities across the State can continue into the future, including aero-medical flight services, as well as primary health care in rural and regional areas, with a particular focus on dental and mental health.

The MoU signed today includes a $300,000 commitment in 2021-22 to the RFDS to support the provision of oral health services in regional Tasmania, with an initial focus on the West Coast, Huon Valley and Central Tasmania.

A long-term partnership will also allow the RFDS to undertake aircraft and infrastructure upgrades, ensuring they have what they need for the future.

The Government has been a strong supporter of the RFDS for many years, and this agreement will lock in the service for the long term, providing certainty for those Tasmanians in rural and regional areas that need it.

We are committed to building better health services to Secure Tasmania’s Future, and this MoU will add to the commitments we have made this week, right across the State, to ensure Tasmanians have access to the health services they need, when and where they need it.

The MoU is available here.