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NZ Air rescue services "fragmented"

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NZ Air rescue services "fragmented"

Old 18th Jul 2008, 08:03
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NZ Air rescue services "fragmented"

Air emergency services fragmented - report
Friday, 18 July 2008

The Government says it is looking at setting up a single funding agency for emergency ambulance services, but says more work is needed before any changes could be made.

The Air Ambulances Reference Group said in a report today that emergency helicopters and other air health services generally work well, but different standards and the multiple roles of aircraft made it difficult to meet the needs of all communities.

The group recommended a cautious approach with the development of a single government funding agency for air ambulances, possibly covering road ambulances as well.

The report, which focuses on emergency helicopters, follows another on road ambulances which said fragmented funding and a lack of money should be addressed by the Government

The earlier report said it was wrong that ambulances were being sent out with just one person on board and the Government should increase funding.

Today's report said the reference group members have "mixed views . . . about the overall clinical quality of the current emergency helicopter services, cost-effectiveness and efficiency".

It said there was a large number of services with different standards, contract requirements, service guidelines and protocols.

The group recommended setting up a "lead crown funder" and a representative sector advisory group to set standards.

Health Minister David Cunliffe and ACC Minister Maryan Street welcomed the report but said more work was needed before any changes were made.

Officials were working on an "overarching strategic direction" for the ambulance sector and the group's work would be included.

This work would be released shortly, the ministers said.

- NZPA

=====================================================

The author of a report on New Zealand's air ambulance service says there are probably too many rescue helicopters.

The Air Ambulance Reference Group report addresses the future of the service and has been released by the Government.

The group comprises the Ministry of Health, ACC, the Order of St John, rural GPs and the Civil Aviation Authority. It has been tasked with developing a national vision for air ambulance services and reports to the Minister of Health.

The group's chair, Mel Smith, wants a cost-effective air ambulance service and says at present, New Zealand's 41 rescue helicopters are probably more than is needed.

The report's recommendations include a Crown-based funder for rescue helicopter operators and a standardisation of quality controls.

The National Party says any attempt to reduce the number of rescue helicopters will anger the public.

Health spokeperson Tony Ryall says New Zealanders have already demonstrated they will not accept a reduction in the service. He says there is a golden hour in which air ambulance services have to get people to treatment on time.

Meanwhile, air ambulance operators are surprised they have not been informed about the release of the report.

Garden City Helicopters covers much of the South Island's air ambulance services. Its general manager, Simon Duncan, is a member of the Reference Group and says he is surprised that he never saw the final copy of the report and was not informed it was being released.

The general manager of the Taranaki Rescue Trust helicopter, Noel Watson, says though he spent hours contributing, he also has not seen the final report.

Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Last edited by Te_Kahu; 18th Jul 2008 at 08:04. Reason: typo
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Old 18th Jul 2008, 10:05
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Mmmmmm ....

This is going to get "Dirty" ! .... the vultures will be circling ....

Helicopters, Politics, Empire building all chasing MONEY!

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Old 18th Jul 2008, 11:18
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Thumbs down

Everyone's involved except the people actually doing the rescues... it would be interesting to hear from the small community based operators...

Sounds like someone wants to build a new bureaucracy...
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Old 20th Jul 2008, 01:00
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Big Mike
Everyone bar the milk man was involved in the review group. Creating a single desk funding model is a good thing and long over due - if they do it right. A big part of the problem is that successive Government's have paid no care and attention to this sector at all.

If anyone is wanting to empire build it is this organisation. St John hierachy has been consistently two faced and often acted in bad faith over a number of years toward this sector.

St John supports review of air ambulance sector
Friday, 18 July 2008, 2:36 pm
Press Release: St John


18 July 2008

St John supports review of air ambulance sector

St John agrees with the key findings of the independent report on the emergency air ambulance sector released by the government today.

"We believe it is important that air ambulance services in New Zealand are rationalised to ensure New Zealanders are receiving the most efficient and cost-effective service for the investment by taxpayers and donors," St John Chief Executive Jaimes Wood said.

"Air ambulances are a vital part of the ambulance sector but should be dispatched based on the clinical needs and situation of patients. Public expectation for air ambulance has been driven to unrealistic heights. The resulting total economic cost to New Zealanders is disproportionate to needs or requirements, particularly when compared to road ambulance patient numbers and funding," Mr Wood said.

St John agrees with the report's proposals that:

* a national framework be developed to integrate air ambulance services more with the rest of the ambulance sector; with national oversight and planning

* a lead Crown funder be developed for air ambulance services

* consistent standards and service specifications for air ambulance services be introduced

* dispatch protocols be reviewed to ensure the patient's clinical need and situation are the primary determinants of air ambulance dispatch

* a funding analysis and long-term funding plans be prepared for both government and community funding streams of air ambulances

"St John wants all New Zealanders to have access to an ambulance service that is coordinated, clinically safe, effective, efficient and economic. The objective is to deliver the right resources with the required skills at the right time, with transport to the right hospital. This requires an integrated and coordinated approach to all ambulance transport modes," Mr Wood said.

"We have operationally excellent air ambulance activities in New Zealand that would stack up internationally - and their valuable knowledge and experience should be preserved," Mr Wood said.

Background:

* The best estimated annual cost of current air ambulance services is $40 million to deliver 1% of patients. This compares to our last financial year's $98 million cost to deliver road ambulance services to 86% of the population, serviced by St John.

* St John contributed to the development of the Report of the Air Ambulance Reference Group to the ACC and Health Ministers released today.

* St John provides the clinical crew for most air ambulance operators. The exceptions are Wellington, Taranaki and Auckland.

* St John dispatches air ambulances to accident and medical emergencies as the lead provider of Emergency Ambulance Communications Centre services, based on dispatch criteria agreed between road and air ambulance providers, the Ministry of Health and ACC.

* In 99% of cases where an air ambulance is mobilised, a road ambulance is already at - or on the way to - the scene, providing clinical treatment and stabilising the patient for air transport.

ENDS
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