WESTPAC CHOPPER WINS BID FOR RETRIEVAL SERVICES

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has beaten off a challenge to provide medical retrieval and rescue operations across northern New South Wales for the next 10 years

The service which has bases in Newcastle, Tamworth and Lismore has been chosen to deliver the services, after the state government opened up a tender process for helicopter retrieval services across New South Wales.

Westpac will cover northern New South Wales while southern New South Wales will be looked after by Toll Helicopters.

New South Wales Health Minister Jillian Skinner delivered the news.

“The signing of these contracts marks another milestone in the NSW Government’s reform of aeromedical services to ensure the delivery of safe, sustainable care to patients right across the state,” Mrs Skinner said.

“A tender process has been undertaken which has successfully engaged a mix of not-for-profit and commercial operators.

“I have no doubt the new Helicopter Retrieval Network will deliver improved retrieval coverage for metropolitan, rural, regional and remote NSW and, most importantly, better outcomes for patients no matter where they live.”

Every helicopter in the New South Wales network will have the ability to transfer sick babies, while there’ll be changes to the helicopter fleets.

“The reform plan has paved the way for the streamlining of our helicopters and I’m pleased to say the larger Augusta Westland 139 helicopter will be implemented state-wide as the standard aircraft for the state’s aeromedical fleet,” Mrs Skinner said.

“In a first for NSW, this world class aircraft will also be NETS (Newborn and Paediatric Transport Service)-capable to deliver life-saving clinical care to our smallest and most vulnerable patients.”

There will also be a doctor on board every patient retrieval flight across the network.

The Newcastle, Lismore and Tamworth Westpac services teamed up for one overall bid.