Trust outlines procedures for dispatching rescue helicopter

Ross Black
Ross Black
The Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust has moved to "clarify" its response time and availability to attend emergencies in Wanaka and Central Otago.

Last week, while discussing issues regarding staffing St John's Wanaka ambulance after hours, Wanaka doctor Susie Meyer said there were "many times we don't have the helicopter option. That's a myth people have".

Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust chairman Ross Black described to the Otago Daily Times in an email the procedures for dispatching the rescue helicopter operated by Helicopters Otago.

Mr Black said a dedicated BK117 helicopter was on permanent standby at the trust's Taieri base, along with pilots and two intensive care paramedics.

During the day, they were ready to respond immediately and at night were on "emergency callout".

Mr Black said normally for an emergency 111 callout, the helicopter would be in the air within five minutes during the day and 15-30 minutes at night.

The average flying time to Wanaka was 45 minutes in neutral winds.

Mr Black said it was up to the 111 operator to decide if the helicopter should be dispatched.

"The rescue helicopter can only respond if and when instructed by the 111 communications centre."

On other occasions, when the helicopter was called for a patient first transported by ambulance to a local medical centre, the decision to call the helicopter was usually made by senior doctors at Dunedin Hospital.

Depending on the seriousness of the patient's condition, a hospital registrar or specialist would fly in the helicopter.

"This requires the helicopter to divert to the hospital first and occasionally it can be delayed further until the hospital doctor is available.

"This can add 15 to 20 minutes to response times."

Mr Black said when the dedicated rescue helicopter was already responding to an emergency, Helicopters Otago had two backup BK117 helicopters with similar rescue capabilities.

They could respond as soon as additional paramedics were on board.

Mr Black said despite operating in "some very challenging mountainous terrain and adverse weather" there were "very few times" when conditions such as fog or severe icing made it unsafe to fly.

Mr Black said the capabilities of the rescue helicopter had been increased with the introduction of night-vision goggles and "terrain awareness systems" and about 30% of missions were flown at night.

"The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter and its crew are among the best-equipped and trained in the country and constantly strive to provide the best possible response times for all our communities."

Mr Black said the trust was aware of and "sympathetic to" the staffing challenges St John was facing in Wanaka and Central Otago.

-mark.price@odt.co.nz

 

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