‘Having this second helicopter will save lives’

CAREFLIGHT is confident about the outcome of its appeal for a second helicopter, following recent meetings with Commonwealth health leaders in Canberra

CareFlight NT wants $10 million for another rescue helicopter.

CAREFLIGHT NT representatives have returned from Canberra and are confident Commonwealth health leaders are listening to their $10 million plea for a second emergency retrieval helicopter for the Top End of the NT.

CareFlight NT general manager Philip Roberts said last week they had multiple meetings with ministerial staff to state their case.

“It’s going to be a long process, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

“But they got the elements that we’re pitching.”

CareFlight’s Matthew Auld and Steve Martz aircrew officer PIC KATRINA BRIDGEFORD.

Mr Roberts said delegates he met with said they’d get back to him in the coming weeks with potential avenues to get funding.

“We do have to be patient,” he said.

Mr Roberts said CareFlight felt confident it could cover ongoing operational costs of the chopper, which would be about $2.5 million a year.

He’s calling on federal politicians to provide the $10 million in capital.

“There’s a health element to this, about delivering the Top End Medical Retrieval Service, but there’s also a national interest,” Mr Roberts said.

“We’re the only medical rescue helicopter in the Top End of the NT.”

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Recently, CareFlight chief executive Mick Frewen said getting a second emergency retrieval helicopter for the Top End was a matter of utmost importance.

“It’s absolutely my number one priority to get this second helicopter,” he said.

“Having this second helicopter will save lives.”

NT representatives in Canberra are also backing the helicopter plan. NT Senator Sam McMahon said the proposal had her full support. Solomon MP Luke Gosling described the shortage as one of “urgent need” and backed the proposal in the lead-up to the federal election.