Flying doctors want more for remote health

How do you get politicians to undergo a health check-up? Bribe them with an egg and bacon roll.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service set up shop on the lawns of Parliament House on Thursday to deliver an important message about blood pressure checks.

MPs and senators, while enjoying breakfast, heard how Australians living in the bush are dying two years earlier than those in the cities.

The RFDS attribute this to remote residents seeing GPs at half the rate of those in metropolitan areas.

As well, Dr John Setchell said minor ailments had the potential to develop into long-term serious health problems if left untreated.

The RFDS is calling on the federal government to increase funding for primary health care for remote Australia in the May budget.

Some MPs expressed interest in taking a seat on a RFDS flight.