In Short

Clinics continuing where safe: The RFDS will keep running primary healthcare clinics across the Far West where conditions allow, switching to telehealth when wet airstrips make landing unsafe.

Mental health support on the line: The RFDS Broken Hill Wellbeing Place is available on 08 8080 3700, Monday to Friday 9am–5pm, for anyone struggling with the stress and isolation of the flood event.

Medical Chest Custodians reminded: Keep your chest dry and accessible — and call 1800 DRS FLY before using anything inside.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has moved to reassure Far West communities that healthcare will remain as accessible as possible throughout the current flood emergency, with the organisation confirming it will continue primary health clinics wherever conditions are safe and switch to telehealth when wet weather makes flying or landing unsafe.

As heavy rainfall continues to impact the region, the RFDS says its teams are working closely with emergency services and health partners across the affected areas, monitoring which airstrips remain open and accessible so they can respond to medical emergencies as conditions change. As anyone in the Far West knows, dirt airstrips can become unusable quickly after significant rain, a reality the RFDS is well prepared for.

"We're doing everything we can to keep healthcare accessible and reliable," the organisation said in a statement to communities. "If the weather makes travel or landing unsafe, we'll switch to telehealth, so you can still get the care you need without having to leave your home or property."

The RFDS says it is in regular contact with local first responders right across the impacted areas, combining on-the-ground intelligence from those responders with the latest weather information to make the safest possible decisions for patients, crews and communities. Anyone whose clinic is affected will be contacted directly with updated arrangements.

Medical Chest Custodians across the region are also being reminded to keep their chests stored somewhere dry and easy to reach, and to call 1800 DRS FLY for advice before using anything inside the chest.

With some properties and communities already isolated, and more likely to become so as the event continues, the RFDS has specifically flagged the mental health toll that prolonged wet weather and isolation can take. Its mental health team is available through the Broken Hill Wellbeing Place on 08 8080 3700, open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. "We know this kind of weather can be stressful, and you don't have to manage it alone," the organisation said.

The NSW State Emergency Service has also increased its presence across the region and is well resourced to assist with resupply of essential medical, food and water supplies for isolated properties and communities.

Help and Support

RFDS Broken Hill Wellbeing Place — 08 8080 3700 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm)

RFDS Medical Chest advice — 1800 DRS FLY

Emergency — 000

Lifeline 13YARN (24/7) — 13 92 76

NSW Health Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7) — 1800 011 511

1800RESPECT — experiencing violence (24/7) — 1800 737 732 or SMS 0458 737 732

NSW SES — 132 500