Travelling and living in Australia’s vast remote areas poses special challenges for those living with asthma. The various state ambulance services have a worked closely with local medical facilities and the Royal Flying Doctor Service to develop a plan to provide emergency medical care to critically ill patients in remote locations. Dialling 000 is the best way to engage the range of emergency services available to people in remote areas, but you can also download the various frequencies and phone numbers operated by the RFDS.

Asthma should not be an obstacle to travelling anywhere, but if you are planning a trip to a remote area click on Travelling Remote in the menu to learn how to best prepare for your trip.

For people living and travelling in remote regions of Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) works with all the state ambulance services to provide a vital link in the delivery of emergency medical care to critically ill patients in remote locations

Established in 1928 the RFDS was the first comprehensive aerial medical organisation in the world and to this day remains unique for the range of primary health care and emergency services it provides and for the huge area of sparse population and climatic extremes over which it operates - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

There are four RFDS Operating Sections that work closely with the various state ambulance services to respond to emergencies. RFDS Sections provide a service that includes 24 hour consultation with medical personnel by radio or telephone.

The RFDS has also distributed more than 3500 medication chests across remote areas. These medical chests contain an extensive range of numbered medications and medical supplies at locations such as isolated pastoral properties, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, out-stations, remote mining sites and lighthouses.