Calls for a doctor to be part of chopper rescue team - ABC Online

Posted January 03, 2013 08:55:00

A statewide review of rescue services has recommended a doctor be permanently stationed at the Hunter's rescue helicopter base at Broadmeadow.

The Ernst and Young report recommends dozens of changes, including reducing the number of helicopter services areas from five to two - northern and southern New South Wales.

The northern region would have four choppers - two at Broadmeadow, and one each at Lismore and Tamworth.

Hunter General Manager Richard Jones says he'll push to have a doctor onsite sooner than the recommended date of 2014.

"We're just a little disappointed with the timeframe because we believe that there is a case there to have this done now," he said.

"We have been putting together a case for some time, and (Newcastle MP) Tim Owen is waiting for us to get together and respectfully put a case together that we think that it should happen now.

"So, I think we should get underway with it, and really add some benefit to the community.

"It's hard to argue against it now that they've recommended it."

Topics: emergency-planning, doctors-and-medical-professionals, healthcare-facilities, broadmeadow-2292, newcastle-2300, muswellbrook-2333