The Royal Flying Doctor Service has always been known for its wings.
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But with the addition of two mobile health clinics, the organisation in Tasmania is now becoming known for its wheels.
On Thursday the keys for two repurposed buses, which will now be used to provide a range of health services, were officially handed over.
Once used for public transport, the buses were donated by the state government and transformed into the mobile clinics with funds raised by Rotary Tasmania and a $100,000 Commonwealth grant.
RFDS Tasmania chief executive John Kirwan said it was fantastic to see the project's initial concept - to build on mental health services in rural and remote areas - expanded.
"They [the buses] can and will be used for youth mental health services, but they can also be used for screening, for vaccination programs, for health literacy and health promotion exercises," he said.
"So they are multi-use and they can be used in emergencies. They are set up, they can be sterile and they are self contained.
"It's about having the services to go out into the communities, working in communities. That's been the RFDS model for 90 years."
The buses will be used by RFDS Tasmania's primary health care team and feature consultation spaces designed to suit clients of all ages.
One of the buses has already been used in an emergency situation - as a COVID-19 respiratory clinic previously located outside the Launceston General Hospital.
Rotary Tasmania Community Care chairman John Dare said the launch of the hubs demonstrated a collaboration where everyone involved put the health of their communities first.
"About 60 weeks ago we started the project... we had the buses and we raised the money," he said.
"But when you pull an old bus apart you find some surprises, so then you have to find a solution.
"We had a really good team and to be here today, we now have two buses ready to hit the road and do some good."
Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer said to see the buses transformed into purpose-built mobile health units was a fantastic thing.
"I think the work of the flying doctors and Rotary collaborating to bring these projects together is a really good example of what can be achieved when these organisations are collaborating," she said.
Premier Peter Gutwein the project was a good outcome for regional and rural Tasmania.
"I think it's the most fantastic example of the community sector working with the service departments, to do something that is going to be of immense benefit to our entire community," he said.
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Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
