Member for Orange Andrew Gee has welcomed news of the contract signing with the preferred proponent to deliver helicopter retrieval services in the Southern region.
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The helicopter has made three visits to Wellington in recent times to airlift patients.
The Southern region will be run by Toll Helicopters (NSW) Pty Ltd - an Australian-listed corporation with a strong track record in helicopter aviation which will operate helicopter patient retrieval services from newly constructed bases at Orange, Bankstown, Wollongong, and the existing base in Canberra.
"The NSW Liberals & Nationals government is committed to reforming the state's aeromedical services to benefit local patients and ensure faster response times," Mr Gee said.
"I'm pleased to see the NSW government is delivering a safe and sustainable aeromedical service for the community - a cause I have been campaigning in support of for many years."
The new Helicopter Retrieval Network will be operational in 2017 to allow a smooth transition of services. It is the largest tender of its kind in the world.
Mr Gee said the retrieval network would also implement a new standardised helicopter, streamlining the aircraft used across the state.
"A new aircraft, the larger Augusta Westland 139, will have a new home at the Orange base," Mr Gee said.
"The new helicopter is capable of transporting medical retrieval teams, including those for sick babies and children, faster and further than ever before. This means more coverage for the region and capacity to transport a wider range of patients."
The finalisation of the contract follows an extensive tender process undertaken by the NSW government as part of its Reform Plan for Aeromedical (Rotary Wing) Retrieval Services in NSW.
The tender recommendations were reviewed and endorsed by a Procurement Governance Committee chaired by Dr Peter Sharley, an independent an intensive care and retrieval specialist from South Australia.
Mr Gee said while there was a new provider, there would be no change - only enhancement - to the service delivered to the community.
"I've been assured that during the transition to the new network, the operator will hold discussions with a view to engaging present operator staff," Mr Gee said.
"This approach will help to provide relationship continuity between the aircrew, the medical crews and the local area of operations knowledge.
"The reform plan has already delivered 24-seven coverage for our region, which recent reports have demonstrated has been vital in the care and support of patients locally.
"I believe the new Helicopter Retrieval Network will deliver world-class retrieval coverage for our community and better outcomes for patients wherever and whenever they need emergency medical care."
Health Minister Jillian Skinner said: "Our aeromedical helicopters are more than just transportation aircraft - they are mobile emergency departments in the sky, providing high-level, quality care to very sick patients."
"This new Helicopter Retrieval Network will deliver a modern, flexible and effective helicopter fleet to deliver the best care for babies, children and adults and it will give more local paramedics and doctors the ability to get to patients faster than ever before."
