Local support for rescue helicopter under review

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 382, 16 April 1991, Page 1

Local support for rescue helicopter under review

Strong local support for the Waimarino Rescue Helicopter was expressed in the face of an ambulance service review last week.

At a meeting at the Waimarino Rural Health Centre last Thursday support was voiced very strongly to Greg Phillips, manager of ambulance services for the Manawatu Wanganui Hospital Board, and William Coppin, Technical Advisor to the New Zealand Ambulance Service. The meeting was held as part of a review of the

ambulance service within the hospital board area. Representatives of the police, fire service, Waimarino Community Board, Department of Conservation, Lions, Rotary, Area Health Watch Committee, Red Cross, the Waimarino Rescue Helicopter Trust and . schools were present and all expressed their support for the helicopter

service being provided by the Waimarino Rescue Helicopter Trust. "The present rescue service has the local knowledge, skills and expertise to service the area and I would hate to . see the helicopter go," said Terry Tapp speaking on behalf of the Rescue Helicopter Trust. "The local community raised over $40,000 to equip the helicopter with rescue gear." Several people present spoke about the need for local knowledge as an Turn page 2

Helicopter support

From page 1 important factor when flying in the region as the weather and the terrain can make for difficult flying. "Time is also important as to get a helicopter from Palmerston North would take about an hour and by using a locally based helicopter often the patient would be in hospital in that time," said Max Martin. Ohakune Fire Service. This was endorsed by several other speakers. "I am on the back foot over this issue as the move for a rescue helicopter based in Palmerston North has not come from the Area Health Board but from outside interests," said Mr Phillips. The Rescue Helicopter has been used 15 times in the last two months.

The group expressed support for the road ambulance service also. "The ambulance service as it is now is the best we have had in the area and we would hate any changes to come to the ambulances" said Ellen Gould. "We do not wish to see it down graded." The meeting agreed that the present ambulance service is working well and that an improved service was what had been promised when the changes from a hospital to a rural health centre had taken place. All present would like to see the local helicopter rescue service remain. Written submissions closed on 12 April but late submissions will be accepted. All interested people or groups are urged to put in submissions.