16 December 2004

Statewide review of Rescue Helicopter Services released

NSW Minister for Health, Morris Iemma today released a blueprint for a 10 year expansion and upgrade of helicopter rescue services across NSW.

There are currently nine rescue helicopters serving the community across NSW from bases at Westmead, Mascot, Wollongong, Newcastle, Orange, Tamworth, Lismore and Canberra.

Their operations have been under review since March.

Releasing the final report today, Mr Iemma said the review had found that the current system of rescue helicopters is sound.

“As we look to the next 10 years this report spells out how our helicopter rescue services will need to evolve to meet future growing demand in both metropolitan and regional NSW,” Mr Iemma said.

“One of the clear messages that emerges from this report is the need to develop standardised service levels.

“We currently have a range of operators such as the Surf Life Saving Association, Careflight and commercial entities providing rescue helicopter services.

“But many of these services operate different machines, with different crewing levels and backup capabilities.

“This review has highlighted the need for helicopter services to further develop and standardise clinical and aviation standards.

“Over time we must aim to have operators using helicopters with the same service levels, crewed with both paramedic and medical staff,” Mr Iemma said.

The Minister said he was committed to maintaining and building on the vital relationship forged between rescue helicopter services and their sponsors and close links with the community.

Mr Iemma said rescue helicopter operators were being briefed on the outcome of the review today.

The review also recognises that more work needs to be done before taking the next step which is to call for expressions of interest to operate helicopter services.

Existing operators and other organisations would be invited to lodge expressions of interest.

The current funding and performance agreements, in place since 2000 and due to expire at the end of February 2005, will be extended until the end of July 2005 to allow this work to take place.

This work includes reviews of technical standards and clinical workforce requirements that will be needed to support developments over the next 10 years.

“Extension of the current agreements until July will also allow time for helicopter operators to take into account the findings of the review and the further work it recommends when developing their expressions of interest.

The review, conducted by Operational Research in Health, an internationally recognised British company, included consultation with helicopter operators, trade unions, the Ambulance Service of NSW, Area Health Services, the Critical Care Council and the Department of Health.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au