A landmark deal has been awarded to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to provide aeromedical retrievals across a vast outback territory for a decade.
The service is set to take over from CareFlight in the Northern Territory's Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem regions as part of a 10-year, $625 million contract.
NT Health Minister Steve Edgington has confirmed that RFDS would provide emergency air lifts and hospital transfers across the regions from July 1, 2027.
The service already provides aeromedical retrieval services across the Central Australia and Barkly regions.
Under the contract, the service would introduce new aircraft to replace its ageing fleet.
''Aeromedical retrieval services are essential in the Northern Territory, where distance and geography can make accessing urgent and specialist health care particularly challenging," Mr Edgington said in a statement.
The contract would deliver modern aircraft capable of supporting safe, timely and effective patient care, he said on Friday.
''We sincerely thank CareFlight's pilots, clinicians, engineers, operational staff and support teams for their important work and the care they have provided to Territorians.''
RFDS NT's chief executive Tony Vaughan said the contract recognised the service's proven capability and dedication to delivering emergency aeromedical services in the territory for the past 87 years.
''We're proud and honoured to deliver the next chapter of aeromedical and patient transport services for our Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem communities."
The service would work alongside its helicopter partner Toll Aviation and NT Health to provide one seamless service, Mr Vaughan said.
CareFlight will continue to provide aeromedical evacuations from the Top End to interstate hospitals.
