Uncertain future for Bay chopper

The TrustPower TECT rescue helicopter during an exercise at Te Puke High School.THE Bay's rescue helicopter could be scrapped under a major review of the country's air ambulances.
The future of the Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT rescue helicopter was unclear today after ACC revealed Tauranga was competing with Hamilton as a possible regional air ambulance base.
The Accident Compensation Corporation yesterday released a Draft National Air Ambulance Strategy for public consultation, looking at the long-term future for air ambulances in New Zealand.
The report includes the Tauranga chopper and suggests that just one air ambulance would be based either in Tauranga or Hamilton.
ACC is reviewing how much money it gives to emergency services because it suspects the country has too many relative to other countries.
New Zealand has air rescue services in 18 centres, and the central North Island has four alone - in Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton and Taupo.
ACC contracts are already in place until October 2006 to ensure current services are maintained and the transition is smooth and controlled.
The draft strategy focuses on three key issues identified during more than 12-months of consultation and discussion on enhancing the patient-focus.
The draft makes a total of 19 recommendations and proposes that Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) air ambulances should be located in seven centres, based largely on population and a 45-60 minute range from base.
It is suggested that these centres might be located in: Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga, Hastings, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
It also notes that further work is required around the services from Palmerston North and the Central Plateau.
Due to population, location and support infrastructure, the draft strategy notes that rescue services need to be maintained at New Plymouth, Greymouth, Gisborne, Queenstown and Invercargill.
A copy of the Draft National Air Ambulance Strategy and a "feedback document" are available on the ACC public website at http://www.acc.co.nz/for-providers/news-for-providers/ .
Public feedback to ACC will close on 24 February 2005.