Rio Tinto global head of communities and social performance Melinda Buckland, Rio Tinto Pacific Operations Aluminium managing director Armando Torres and RFDS (Queensland Section) chief executive officer Meredith Staib celebrate the partnership announcement on 27 August. Photo: Supplied.
Rio Tinto and Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) have announced a new partnership to strengthen health services in some of the remotest parts of the state, including Cape York.
The companies unveiled the $14.675 million, five-year agreement on 27 August, which is aimed at expanding local access to vital healthcare services, and adds to the support the mining giant has provided the RFDS since 2020.
Key areas of the partnership include enhancing telehealth triage capability to better prioritise patient needs, introducing podiatry services to support chronic disease care, expanding mental health support across North and Far North Queensland, and improving access to culturally appropriate care by increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.
State manager mental health Dr Tim Driscoll said the new agreement would play a part in addressing the “very real” mental health challenges facing those in regional and remote areas.
“With Rio Tinto’s support, we can expand our mental health services into some of Queensland’s most remote communities, placing clinicians where they’re needed most, and that gives individuals and families earlier access to quality psychological care, close to home,” he said.
Rio Tinto Pacific Operations Aluminium managing director Armando Torres said the company was proud to extend its partnership with the RFDS.
“This partnership is about making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people living in some of Queensland’s most remote and hard-to-reach areas,” he said.
“What began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a long-term collaboration focused on improving health outcomes across the state; this next chapter reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers and expanding access critical services, and building a healthier future for all Queenslanders.”
RFDS (Queensland Section) chief executive officer Meredith Staib said the extended partnership would deliver real and measurable improvements for patients and communities.
“I can’t thank Rio Tinto enough for their commitment to improving the health of regional Queenslanders,” Ms. Staib said.
“This agreement will be a catalyst for change in the health and wellbeing of people living in some of the most remote parts of the state – from enabling earlier intervention and preventive care, to supporting better management of complex and chronic conditions closer to home.”
RFDS (Queensland Section) state manager mental health Dr Tim Driscoll describes the impact the new partnership will have on the delivery of services in remote parts of Queensland. Photo: Supplied.
