Torres Strait and Cape York health services receive two new rescue helicopters
Two new helicopters which can travel faster and further are part of plan to improve health services in remote parts of the Far North.
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The Torres and Cape York communities are set to benefit from the allocation of two new rescue helicopters with improved operational capabilities.
Queensland health minister Shannon Fentiman on Friday announced the deployment of the new Leonardo AW139 helicopters which are set to cover an area of 130,000 sq km.
The new machines are understood to be faster and have greater travel capabilities than their predecessors – the Bell 412 choppers.
Each helicopter has enhanced capability including increased speed and range, improved search and rescue, and a powered stretcher loading system compatible with Queensland Ambulance Service and Royal Flying Doctor Service stretchers.
QAS and Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service will provide around-the-clock coverage of doctors and paramedics dedicated to the aircraft, delivered by Babcock Australasia, which will supply pilots, aircrew and engineers.
Babcock Australasia chief executive Andrew Cridland said the new aircraft would allow crews to undertake high-stakes operations.
“Babcock has served the Torres Strait community for more than 27 years, so we understand the often unpredictable and unforgiving conditions residents face in an emergency,” Mr Cridland said.
“We know how important it is to have a high performing emergency helicopter service providing fast and quality healthcare.”
TCHHS medical superintendent and beneficiary of the new chopper Preston Cardelli said the new aircraft “featuring airconditioning” also brought the health service’s operational capacity to be standardised with the rest of the country as demand for aerial services grew with the increase of tourists in the region.
“One of the biggest things is how far we can go now, to reach some of our outer islands, it would mean we have to refuel before would get to the patient,” Dr Cardelli said.
The announcement, part of a broader $288m investment in helicopter services, comes months after the release of the first part of a report following an investigation into the TCHHS, which made eight recommendations, but drew criticism from local leaders.
Those included Torres Strait mayors Elsie Seriat and Phillemon Mosby along with Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council mayor Robert Poipoi who boycotted the minister in early August, citing concerns with the investigation process and a lack of consultation.
But on Friday TCHHS Rex O’Rourke defended the report, stating the service was “well underway” adopting the principles.
“We’ve already started to see increases in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce,” he said.
“Right as today, we have the highest number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce than we’ve ever had in Torres and Cape hospitals.”
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