Improved access to the helipad at Te Puia Hospital will help ease the journey for patients being transported by the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter.

“Because there was no paved pathway between the hospital and the helipad patients had to be wheeled or carried over a grassed area, which was obviously not ideal,” says Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust chair Patrick Willock.

“That’s why Ngati Porou Hauora has been so supportive of improvements there, as well as to other helipads in the region.”

Te Puia Hospital is a hotspot for the Eastland Rescue Helicopter service, says Mr Willock.

“Patients are often taken to the hospital by Hato Hone St John, or get themselves there, but if their condition deteriorates it could take up to two hours to transport them to Gisborne by road.

“At times like that speed is critical to a safe outcome, and that’s where the rescue team comes in.

“The improvements are part of our ongoing programme to ensure they have the tools they need to achieve the best possible results in what is often challenging territory.”

Te Puia Hospital was the destination for two of the nine missions successfully completed by the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team in the seven days from Monday, May 13.

“Those dispatches were in response to five medical events; three situations where people had been injured while in remote areas; and one inter-hospital transfer of a seriously ill patient,” Mr Willock said.

“It was a tight schedule of missions and, as always, we are incredibly grateful to the team for their efforts in a busy week punctuated by some pretty challenging weather.”

Mission log

— The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter was out of the region on Monday, May 13 for routine maintenance (with cover provided by the Hastings-based Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter) then resumed duties on Tuesday with two missions to medical events at Tikitiki (12.30pm) and Tokomaru Bay (5.30pm).

— Bad weather meant the team was stood down from its mission the following day but on Thursday completed another duo – to a trauma at Te Araroa (10am) and a medical event at Te Puia Springs (2pm).

— On Saturday they packed in a further three missions – to a trauma at Te Araroa (11.08am); a medical event at Ruatoria (3pm); and another medical event at Te Puia Springs (4.30pm).

— All completed missions ended safely with the patients flown in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital until Sunday (2pm), when the team attended a trauma at Hicks Bay where the patient was assessed as not requiring transport.

— The week’s missions concluded later that day when the team responded to a 3pm call to carry out a Gisborne-to-Waikato transfer of a patient who was in serious condition after suffering a medical event.

CAPTION: AN EASIER RIDE: The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team at the Te Puia Hospital helipad, where improved access will help ease the journey for patients who are already under stress.