Patients on the Central Coast will have improved access to lifesaving medical treatment with the addition of one of the world’s most advanced aeromedical aircraft to CareFlight’s fleet.
Over the past 12 months, CareFlight conducted 70 missions in the region.
The helicopter was officially launched when it landed for a public unveiling at the Sydney Opera House on February 19.
The Airbus H145 joins CareFlight’s Rapid Response Helicopter service which reaches patients across Greater Sydney, Nepean/Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.
Since 2017, CareFlight has been tasked to respond to more than 1,300 medical incidents.
Over 200 of these were on the Central Coast.
“As part of our funding agreement with NSW Health, CareFlight committed to upgrading our helicopter capability,” CEO, Mick Frewen, said.
“This helicopter is internationally recognised to be one of the safest and most advanced aeromedical helicopters in the world.
“This will save lives and deliver to the community, an outstanding aeromedical service.
“CareFlight was founded on innovation and we continue to strive to push ourselves, and the service, to ensure that we get to patients fast so our doctors and NSW Ambulance intensive care paramedics can start lifesaving clinical interventions as soon as they arrive at the scene.”
The H145, the first aeromedical aircraft of its kind in Australia, can be airborne within three minutes of activation and with a flight speed of up to 250kmh, can reach patients in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and on the Central Coast within 15 minutes.
“We know that the sooner we reach patients and start clinical interventions, the better the outcome for patients,” said CareFlight’s National Medical Director, Dr Toby Fogg.
“CareFlight flies our specialist doctor and NSW Ambulance intensive care paramedic to the scene of trauma so they can immediately assess and commence clinical treatment.
“For patients who are critically injured or ill, we know this gives patients the best chance of survival, and with this new aircraft online, we will be able to arrive and commence treatment sooner.”
Reaching patients rapidly is further enhanced by H145’s safety features which allow it to land on small and uneven landing sites, as close to the incident as possible.
These safety features include a small diameter high main rotor and a fully enclosed Fenestron tail rotor which together contribute to its ability to land safely in small spaces.
The rear clamshell doors allow for faster loading and unloading of patients saving critical minutes.
The cabin is designed to mimic the internal space of a road ambulance and is specially configured with the most up-to-date medical equipment including a mobile intensive care unit and advanced radio and intercom systems which allows patients to be closely monitored throughout their transportation.
The aircraft can carry a crew of three highly skilled and experienced medical staff and one patient, but can also be reconfigured to carry two patients and two medical staff if required.
CareFlight’s Rapid Response Helicopter is tasked directly by NSW Ambulance for 250-300 missions a year covering Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Blue Mountains regions.
Source:
Media release, Feb 19
CareFlight