In a hectic programme of 11 missions over the seven days from Monday, October 7 the team carried out four inter-hospital transfers that took them from the relatively nearby Whakatane and Tauranga, to the more far-flung Hamilton and Auckland. The transfers are a critical part of the team’s work, says Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust interim chair Ian Parker.

“They make sure patients get the care they need, where and when they need it.”

Five medical events formed the bulk of the rest of the mission schedule for the week, which was rounded out by a search and a motor vehicle accident.

MISSION LOG
The week starting October 7 began at 3pm that day when the team responded to a medical event at Te Araroa, flying their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital, and continued with:

— October 7, 6.30pm — The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to assist with a search and rescue at Mahia, where one of a three-person party was unaccounted for. The team were stood-down after the person was located.

— October 7, 10pm – Later that night the team was called to a medical event at Tolaga Bay, from where they flew their patient in serious condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— October 8, 2am – In the early hours of the following morning they were dispatched to transfer a patient in serious condition after suffering a medical event from Gisborne to Tauranga Hospital.

— October 9, 8.30am – The following morning the team responded to a medical event at Rere, flying their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— October 9, 2pm – Later that day they were dispatched to transfer a patient in serious condition after suffering a trauma from Gisborne to Auckland Hospital.

— October 10, 1pm — The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter responded to a medical event at Piripaua (Tuai), flying their patient in stable condition to Hawke’s Bay Memorial Fallen Soldiers Hospital.

— October 11, 5pm – Late the following afternoon the team was dispatched to a medical event at Ruatoria, from where the patient was flown in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— October 12, 6.50pm – The next day saw a return to the East Coast when they responded to a motor vehicle accident at Waihau Bay, flying their patient in stable condition to Tauranga Hospital.

— October 13, 12.10am – It was another early start on Sunday when the team was dispatched to transfer a patient in serious condition after suffering a medical event from Gisborne to Whakatane, from where the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter continued the transfer to Waikato Hospital.

— October 13, 12.30pm – And the week ended with another inter-hospital transfer, flying a patient in serious condition after suffering a medical event from Gisborne to Waikato Hospital.

CAPTION: EAST COAST CALLING: The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter air crew officer unloads the stretcher during Friday’s mission to Ruatoria, from where the team flew their patient to Gisborne Hospital.