NSW EMS sensitive spot?
Hi VSF
There is a long and complicated history to this sorry tale. The two previous Non Government Organisations (LifeSaver & CareFlight) provided exemplorary service to the people of NSW over two decades. They did this at minimal cost to the taxpayer due to tremendous community spirit - which translated into significant corporate and community financial support. In addition, individuals from both organisations over many many years collectively donated many thousands of unpaid hours - because they were proud of what they did and because they believed in what they did.
In 2006, the ASNSW and the state government announced that all this was to be overturned and that the contract for the next 7 years was awarded to CHC. Without criticising CHC (who are without doubt a professional and competent organisation), this was a mighty kick in the guts to all these professionals from both organisations. To make matters worse, the tender process was not transparent and there are still widespread suspicions that it was designed to produce a pre-determined outcome.
Now, response times are dramatically increaesed compared to previously. I would not have believed that it would have been possible to configure a 412 such that it was too small for one stretcher patient! Flight crew often have limited local knowledge of the Sydney area as they are constantly rotating from other parts of the country.
"Bigger, better, faster" was the simple and arrogant mantra of ASNSW in 2006. Please forgive some of us if we can't help noticing that the reality seems to be "Bigger yes, but more expensive and less capable".
There is a long and complicated history to this sorry tale. The two previous Non Government Organisations (LifeSaver & CareFlight) provided exemplorary service to the people of NSW over two decades. They did this at minimal cost to the taxpayer due to tremendous community spirit - which translated into significant corporate and community financial support. In addition, individuals from both organisations over many many years collectively donated many thousands of unpaid hours - because they were proud of what they did and because they believed in what they did.
In 2006, the ASNSW and the state government announced that all this was to be overturned and that the contract for the next 7 years was awarded to CHC. Without criticising CHC (who are without doubt a professional and competent organisation), this was a mighty kick in the guts to all these professionals from both organisations. To make matters worse, the tender process was not transparent and there are still widespread suspicions that it was designed to produce a pre-determined outcome.
Now, response times are dramatically increaesed compared to previously. I would not have believed that it would have been possible to configure a 412 such that it was too small for one stretcher patient! Flight crew often have limited local knowledge of the Sydney area as they are constantly rotating from other parts of the country.
"Bigger, better, faster" was the simple and arrogant mantra of ASNSW in 2006. Please forgive some of us if we can't help noticing that the reality seems to be "Bigger yes, but more expensive and less capable".
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Thanks Slats11
What I find depressing though is the willingness of aviation professionals to indulge in playground tale-telling so they can score points over one another and the organisations they represent.
What I find depressing though is the willingness of aviation professionals to indulge in playground tale-telling so they can score points over one another and the organisations they represent.
True. What goes around tends to come around.
However, I agree that we should not be having cheap shots at our colleagues - our argument is not with them. Every organisation that has been around for long enough has experienced minor incidents such as this. Pride goeth before the fall!
However, I agree that we should not be having cheap shots at our colleagues - our argument is not with them. Every organisation that has been around for long enough has experienced minor incidents such as this. Pride goeth before the fall!
Chief Bottle Washer
riadbec,
Congratulations! That's the 23rd post that you have made and deleted, including the original thread that you started.
I think that you have the current record, but it really doesn't achieve much in the long run
Congratulations! That's the 23rd post that you have made and deleted, including the original thread that you started.
I think that you have the current record, but it really doesn't achieve much in the long run
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Slats11, maybe the reason that the ASNSW changed operators from the 'exemplorary service to the people of NSW' was exactly that... 'for a good reason' I don't know?
Careflight and Livesaver did a great job, now the times have changed. Contracts come and go. CHC may not win it back next time. I'm sure who ever wins it will attempt to do what CHC are doing I guess, they will try to provide the best service possible.
WB.
Careflight and Livesaver did a great job, now the times have changed. Contracts come and go. CHC may not win it back next time. I'm sure who ever wins it will attempt to do what CHC are doing I guess, they will try to provide the best service possible.
WB.
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CHC will certainly try to provide the best service possible to their foreign shareholders , and they do this by providing the bare minimum possible service to the government client under the terms of their contract .
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And from the rumour network out west, the job rate seems to have dropped from when the "smaller, slower and not as good" operator was on the job. Apparently due to the "drop dead hour" as dictated by the FAID system. Jobs knocked back because they will go past 1845 local. Overnights in Sydney (who pays for that) because of the same. At least the VFR Koala could and would fly in the dark (weather permitting).
Also sounds like at least one of the ASNSW employees has bailed and gone to work for an NGO.
stirring the pot
LHS
Also sounds like at least one of the ASNSW employees has bailed and gone to work for an NGO.
stirring the pot
LHS
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Well the fiasco is a classic case of "be careful what you wish for"
or in terms my thrice married mate says,
Yes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but it doesn't taste any sweeter.
Falling service standards, and surprise bloody surprise, ASNSW now trotting out the standard line re a better, faster service, its all bollocks. We sacrificed a NGO based service, which could have easily been changed, modified, improved to meet the new contract standards, a service delivery model that cost the community 1/10th of SFA compared to what we shell out now for a service that still doesn't come close. ( In fact scrub my last, the existing operators did meet all the benchmarks in the contract anyways!)
Remember all that BS about newer, faster bigger machines which was the reason ASNSW used to axe the existing NGO operators - that is the Canadian Woodpecker Co. promised new machines ahead of the rest (contrary to evidence provided by Careflight and Lifesaver). Where are they - The 412's so derided by some are now the mainstay of the fleet - Plenty of 139's in service elsewhere, so why the delay here ?
Bring back the dedicated providers - dedicated as in providing a genuine service to our community and regional areas, not shareholders on the other side of the world. Even the biggest champion of the new regime, Nozza, a gent with shall we say, real and genuine insight into aeromedical retrieval in NSW, has, apparently, seen the light and realised all is not smelling of roses after all. God forbid a similar debacle when the northern ops come up for review !
And re the start up - not pointing the bone, however surely the current housing and hangaring arrangements at BK increase the pressure on crews to get moving - we obviously aren't dealing with joyflights here! Again a second rate start up proposal that was accepted over existing proven base arrangements - I guess the woodpecker was hoping Lifesaver would fall over and get dibs on the new Cape Banks site, and perhaps the Westmead one as well!
Rant over - This is after all about enhancing service delivery to our citizens who are at a very real risk of carking it - not embarking on some ideologically driven reform campaign by bureaucrats who are neither healers or aviation professionals.
or in terms my thrice married mate says,
Yes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but it doesn't taste any sweeter.
Falling service standards, and surprise bloody surprise, ASNSW now trotting out the standard line re a better, faster service, its all bollocks. We sacrificed a NGO based service, which could have easily been changed, modified, improved to meet the new contract standards, a service delivery model that cost the community 1/10th of SFA compared to what we shell out now for a service that still doesn't come close. ( In fact scrub my last, the existing operators did meet all the benchmarks in the contract anyways!)
Remember all that BS about newer, faster bigger machines which was the reason ASNSW used to axe the existing NGO operators - that is the Canadian Woodpecker Co. promised new machines ahead of the rest (contrary to evidence provided by Careflight and Lifesaver). Where are they - The 412's so derided by some are now the mainstay of the fleet - Plenty of 139's in service elsewhere, so why the delay here ?
Bring back the dedicated providers - dedicated as in providing a genuine service to our community and regional areas, not shareholders on the other side of the world. Even the biggest champion of the new regime, Nozza, a gent with shall we say, real and genuine insight into aeromedical retrieval in NSW, has, apparently, seen the light and realised all is not smelling of roses after all. God forbid a similar debacle when the northern ops come up for review !
And re the start up - not pointing the bone, however surely the current housing and hangaring arrangements at BK increase the pressure on crews to get moving - we obviously aren't dealing with joyflights here! Again a second rate start up proposal that was accepted over existing proven base arrangements - I guess the woodpecker was hoping Lifesaver would fall over and get dibs on the new Cape Banks site, and perhaps the Westmead one as well!
Rant over - This is after all about enhancing service delivery to our citizens who are at a very real risk of carking it - not embarking on some ideologically driven reform campaign by bureaucrats who are neither healers or aviation professionals.
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In respect to the Quote:
The most senior Aircrewman didn't resign.......he just went home and is happily working at his normal place of residence.
Is the Sydney base so short of Aircrewman that they have to reside permanently on base? Sounds like a great roster.
The most senior Aircrewman didn't resign.......he just went home and is happily working at his normal place of residence.
Is the Sydney base so short of Aircrewman that they have to reside permanently on base? Sounds like a great roster.
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One other thing I've heard recently is that a Sydney Crewman was bragging about the 15K in overtime he's made in the past eight months. He's now thinking of buying a Big Screen TV. Apparrently someone said to him that he should install in the crewman's bedroom at BK so he will be able to get some use from it.
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On a positive note
My source tells me that the new boys on the block have at least solved the problem of transporting obese patients by helo. The Sydney NGO's could only manage patients around 120 kg's in the BK's whereas the 412's are rated to carry patients up to 220 kgs.
A sad indictment on the the growing obesity problem in Aus - but then again all people deserve an equal opprtunity for care
A sad indictment on the the growing obesity problem in Aus - but then again all people deserve an equal opprtunity for care
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You dont suggest that the change in providers was done for the sole purpose of moving Bariatric patients around the state, if that was the case we could have started a special service called fat flight.
I am sure that money could be better used to educate the public of the dangers of obesity so they make an educated decision and accept the fact that if they get sick they go by road in a fat truck sorry mega lift.
Keep grabbing at straws and you may make a hay stack.
It is obvious to all involved that certain decision makers had their own agenda with regards to deciding who won this contract and the decision is made and either deal with it and try to make it work or leave and find something else.
But dont pretend or bull**** and say these decisions were based on service delivery.
BF
I am sure that money could be better used to educate the public of the dangers of obesity so they make an educated decision and accept the fact that if they get sick they go by road in a fat truck sorry mega lift.
Keep grabbing at straws and you may make a hay stack.
It is obvious to all involved that certain decision makers had their own agenda with regards to deciding who won this contract and the decision is made and either deal with it and try to make it work or leave and find something else.
But dont pretend or bull**** and say these decisions were based on service delivery.
BF
I read this thread and the associated aggressive comments with some embarressment as a rotorhead. I understand that some people lost their jobs and I know that can hurt.
I wonder how many foreign pilots, crewman, engineers etc are employed by the current contractor in NSW, are there any?
There is quite a bit of reference about increase in cost to the community, as a taxpayer I do not feel that I should have to reach into my pocket to support a community organisation providing a great service that ultimately my government should use my taxes to provide. I am not criticising community organisations or volunteers, we need them, however I do question the relevance of the gripe about the increase in cost to the community. Have our taxes increased? The money provided by big corporations as sponsorship I am pretty sure counted as a great tax break for said corporations (reduced taxation income to the government), probably also reflected in increased fees for car,house insurance, banking fees etc by said corporations?
I think that it is very easy to suggest theories (as I have done), but a little deep thought may force us to question ourselves whether our suggested facts, really are facts? Food for thought.
It seems sad that there is some underlying and not so underlying delight and wish about aviation related incidents or possible incidents (I know it is a rumour network) in relation to this contract. A lot of us on here are aircrew or engineers, it is a shame that some of us can take delight in other people making errors in a dangerous job. We should all be careful what we wish for. We have all made and will continue to make mistakes in our aviation operations, as long as we do not break rules deliberately, then it would be nice and fuzzy if we could stick together sometimes.
I am all for the best service being provided to the community, if some of us feel that it is not, then we should take our politicians to task with sensible, factual unemotive letters to our local members.
I wonder how many foreign pilots, crewman, engineers etc are employed by the current contractor in NSW, are there any?
There is quite a bit of reference about increase in cost to the community, as a taxpayer I do not feel that I should have to reach into my pocket to support a community organisation providing a great service that ultimately my government should use my taxes to provide. I am not criticising community organisations or volunteers, we need them, however I do question the relevance of the gripe about the increase in cost to the community. Have our taxes increased? The money provided by big corporations as sponsorship I am pretty sure counted as a great tax break for said corporations (reduced taxation income to the government), probably also reflected in increased fees for car,house insurance, banking fees etc by said corporations?
I think that it is very easy to suggest theories (as I have done), but a little deep thought may force us to question ourselves whether our suggested facts, really are facts? Food for thought.
It seems sad that there is some underlying and not so underlying delight and wish about aviation related incidents or possible incidents (I know it is a rumour network) in relation to this contract. A lot of us on here are aircrew or engineers, it is a shame that some of us can take delight in other people making errors in a dangerous job. We should all be careful what we wish for. We have all made and will continue to make mistakes in our aviation operations, as long as we do not break rules deliberately, then it would be nice and fuzzy if we could stick together sometimes.
I am all for the best service being provided to the community, if some of us feel that it is not, then we should take our politicians to task with sensible, factual unemotive letters to our local members.
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Lummox,
Helo review for rest of NSW is all done & dusted. A closed tender with all exisiting providers contracted for a further five years.
Looks like powers that be have reconsidered their positions in light of experiences in Sydney. They were definately dead set on having one provider only right across the state.
Helo review for rest of NSW is all done & dusted. A closed tender with all exisiting providers contracted for a further five years.
Looks like powers that be have reconsidered their positions in light of experiences in Sydney. They were definately dead set on having one provider only right across the state.
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BF,
So are you tired of trying to make it work & hence is that why you're currently working out of YWST?
It is obvious to all involved that certain decision makers had their own agenda with regards to deciding who won this contract and the decision is made and either deal with it and try to make it work or leave and find something else.