Report suggests rescue helicopters could be scrapped | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Report suggests rescue helicopters could be scrapped
By ALISON BROWN in Rotorua
If you have ever been helped by a rescue helicopter, now is the time to speak up.
That is the message from Taupo man John Funnell, following the release of a report which confirms the region's worst fears about the future of the country's air ambulance services.
The report, released for discussion yesterday by the Accident Compensation Corporation, outlines a suggested restructuring which could see both Rotorua and Taupo lose their local services in favour of Hamilton.
The report suggests specialist emergency air ambulances should be located in seven centres, including Whangarei, Auckland, Hastings, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The other centre would be either Hamilton or Tauranga.
It also suggests rescue services will need to be maintained at New Plymouth, Greymouth, Gisborne, Queenstown and Invercargill.
While the report does not rule out local community rescue helicopters continuing in other areas, it does not specifically mention either Rotorua or Taupo.
Ambulance NZ chief executive David Waters said there was no need to panic over the report.
Mr Waters said regions should not draw conclusions if their existing service was not specifically referred to, as it was a "discussion option only".
Although air ambulance services had expressed reservations about the practicality of the suggested restructuring, the review was far from finalised, he said.
But Mr Funnell, who is chief executive of the Phillips Search and Rescue Trust, disagrees and fears services in Rotorua, Taupo and Tauranga will be scrapped, leaving just one air ambulance in Hamilton to cover both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.
He wants people who have benefited from the service to write submissions in support of retaining services in the Lakes district.
"Everyone we have rescued in their time of need needs to know now is the time to help us," he said.
One of the key themes of the strategy is that faster is not always better. However, Mr Funnell said all medical staff he knew stressed the importance of getting seriously injured people to a hospital within "the golden hour".
A Hamilton-based helicopter would not always be able to achieve that, given the distances it would be forced to fly, he said.
"The Hamilton machine is busy enough anyway and often needs back-up support from Rotorua and Taupo when it gets tied up with jobs."
Safety would also be compromised by not having pilots with local knowledge of the terrain, especially when flying at night, said Mr Funnell.
"Pilots unfamiliar with an area won't be as effective as those that are.
"In America, pilots have had horrendous accidents by going out of their areas to pick up patients."
The review comes amid uncertainty over the long-term funding of Rotorua's rescue service.
Major sponsor Tenon, formerly Fletcher Challenge Forests, has indicated it is considering withdrawing its sponsorship.
The forestry firm is understood to contribute $200,000 to the Rotorua service, with the public providing a similar amount. ACC pays for all accident call-outs.
Organisations have until February 25 to provide feedback on the report.
Rotorua's Tenon rescue helicopter will be on show at Tikitapu (The Blue Lake) on Sunday to support The Daily Post Charity Fun Run and Walk.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to Rotorua Riding for the Disabled, as part of The Daily Post's annual Christmas Appeal.
If you have ever been helped by a rescue helicopter, now is the time to speak up.
That is the message from Taupo man John Funnell, following the release of a report which confirms the region's worst fears about the future of the country's air ambulance services.
The report, released for discussion yesterday by the Accident Compensation Corporation, outlines a suggested restructuring which could see both Rotorua and Taupo lose their local services in favour of Hamilton.
The report suggests specialist emergency air ambulances should be located in seven centres, including Whangarei, Auckland, Hastings, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The other centre would be either Hamilton or Tauranga.
It also suggests rescue services will need to be maintained at New Plymouth, Greymouth, Gisborne, Queenstown and Invercargill.
While the report does not rule out local community rescue helicopters continuing in other areas, it does not specifically mention either Rotorua or Taupo.
Ambulance NZ chief executive David Waters said there was no need to panic over the report.
Mr Waters said regions should not draw conclusions if their existing service was not specifically referred to, as it was a "discussion option only".
Although air ambulance services had expressed reservations about the practicality of the suggested restructuring, the review was far from finalised, he said.
But Mr Funnell, who is chief executive of the Phillips Search and Rescue Trust, disagrees and fears services in Rotorua, Taupo and Tauranga will be scrapped, leaving just one air ambulance in Hamilton to cover both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.
He wants people who have benefited from the service to write submissions in support of retaining services in the Lakes district.
"Everyone we have rescued in their time of need needs to know now is the time to help us," he said.
One of the key themes of the strategy is that faster is not always better. However, Mr Funnell said all medical staff he knew stressed the importance of getting seriously injured people to a hospital within "the golden hour".
A Hamilton-based helicopter would not always be able to achieve that, given the distances it would be forced to fly, he said.
"The Hamilton machine is busy enough anyway and often needs back-up support from Rotorua and Taupo when it gets tied up with jobs."
Safety would also be compromised by not having pilots with local knowledge of the terrain, especially when flying at night, said Mr Funnell.
"Pilots unfamiliar with an area won't be as effective as those that are.
"In America, pilots have had horrendous accidents by going out of their areas to pick up patients."
The review comes amid uncertainty over the long-term funding of Rotorua's rescue service.
Major sponsor Tenon, formerly Fletcher Challenge Forests, has indicated it is considering withdrawing its sponsorship.
The forestry firm is understood to contribute $200,000 to the Rotorua service, with the public providing a similar amount. ACC pays for all accident call-outs.
Organisations have until February 25 to provide feedback on the report.
-additional reporting NZPA
All proceeds from the event will be donated to Rotorua Riding for the Disabled, as part of The Daily Post's annual Christmas Appeal.
Email
Print