ACT HEALTH DOCTORS COMPLETE SPECIALISED RETRIEVAL TRAINING

Six doctors from ACT Health have undertaken specialised training in land based rescue and retrieval operations this week to further enhance the capabilities of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter Service.

The training, funded by ACT Health, saw experts from CHC Helicopters (Aust) teach the doctors land based rescue helicopter related skills such as winching operations, the use of a harness, confined area landings and other aviation safety proficiencies.

"This is all about ensuring our doctors are appropriately trained in the latest rescue techniques should they encounter challenging situations while out on the job," ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, said.

"The six consultants who took part in the training are from various specialties within the Canberra Hospital and participate in the resuscitation and care of critically injured trauma patients.

"Their work for the Capital Region Retrieval Service is in addition to their clinical experience in the hospital and all have been selected for this additional training because of their extensive pre-hospital trauma care experience," Ms Gallagher said.

The training aims to enhance Snowy Hydro SouthCare's mission capability by having specialist doctors capable of rapid deployment to critically injured patients in locations that are difficult to access. The doctors work alongside flight paramedics from the ACT Ambulance Service to provide high level pre-hospital care in a variety of challenging trauma environments.

$5.4 million was allocated over four years in the 2009-10 Budget to enhance the ACT Government's medical retrieval services and respond to increasing demand for the service.

Media Contact:

Kathryn Roberts
6205 0242
0402 399 907
kathryn.roberts@act.gov.au