About us
Who we are
A rural health charity giving country people better health
Rural Doctors Foundation is a national rural health charity. We exist to give those in rural and remote regions better access to lifesaving healthcare. As rural doctors and community members, we care deeply about the places where we live and work. From the remotest outback regions to pristine coastal areas and bustling rural farming districts. Together, we’re creating meaningful change to give people a better chance at health in our regions.
As rural doctors, we see health inequities every day. There are fewer services. As well as fewer resources and fewer health professionals in the bush. And as a result, this has a great impact on disease, life expectancy, and mental wellbeing. Research shows that mortality rates are 1.8 times higher than they are in urban areas. Three in five rural people don’t see a specialist when they need to, Mostly, because there isn’t one close by.
Our values
Courage
We will act with conviction and integrity and take informed risks.
Trust
We will be credible, reliable, connected and selfless.
Care
We will be diligent, compassionate, responsive and effective.
Our rural health charity creates change at the local level. Working on projects that directly help rural and remote people improve the health of their communities. The people we serve in rural and remote communities have unique needs. Rural Doctors Foundation recognises the diverse health needs of all people that make up regional areas.
Our work supports First Nations health and the vibrancy of Indigenous communities. As well as farming communities, and regional townships. So, it’s about working with remote and rural people, on the ground, to deliver the right support, in the right way.
Our impact and some interesting statistics
Distributed to rural
communities in need
To support rural GPs
and medical students
Pieces of medical
equipment provided to
rural GPs and communities
Medical programs
funded to get off the
ground
Our history
Our story begins with a few dedicated doctors....
Rural Doctors Foundation was established by Rural Doctors Association Queensland. The rural health charity was born from the 2011 floods when many remote areas were in crisis and we knew something needed to be done.
Our story starts with a small number of rural doctors including Dr John Hall and Dr Dan Halliday who believed that access to life-saving health and wellbeing should always be available. In times of crisis, in times of hardship, and importantly, no matter how remote the location. This dedication to equality for remote and rural communities is the spark that ignited Rural Doctors Foundation.
And it continues to fuel our cause. A cause that is growing as we expand to support those living in rural and remote communities across Australia.
Making it official
In 2013, Dr Dan Halliday became the RDAQ secretary. At this time, he presented a proposal to the RDAQ membership to establish RDAQ Foundation to address gaps in rural and remote community health. The membership enthusiastically supported the initiative at the 2014 Annual General Meeting. Outgoing RDAQ president, Dr Adam Coltzau was endorsed as the inaugural chair of RDAQ Foundation (now Rural Doctors Foundation) and in 2015, the Foundation achieved DGR status.
In 2021, we changed our name to Rural Doctors Foundation to reflect its commitment to support those in rural and remote communities across Australia.
Today, our vision is for more people to enjoy healthy lives with access to quality local care.
