Sky-high healthcare for the Torres and Cape

• Two brand new emergency helicopters to service the Torres Strait and northern Cape York Peninsula.
• Miles Government is investing $288 million in emergency helicopter services for the region over the next decade.
• A Torres Strait artist has designed the new helicopters’ striking artwork to represent the ‘Lagaw Kuyup Rescue Service’.

Two new emergency service helicopters will soon take to the skies over Torres Strait and northern Cape York Peninsula communities, providing greater access to aeromedical emergency healthcare.

This fully funded $288 million Miles Government investment ensures equitable care can be provided to some of the most remote and difficult to access communities in the state until 2036.

Two multi-mission Leonardo AW139 helicopters will be deployed to the region, covering an area of more than 130,000 square kilometres.

Each helicopter has enhanced capability including increased speed and range, improved search and rescue, and a powered stretcher loading system compatible with QAS and Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) stretchers.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), and Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service will provide around-the-clock coverage of doctors and paramedics dedicated to the aircraft.

Provider Babcock Australasia will supply pilots, aircrew, and aircraft engineers.

Badu Island artist Alick Tipoti has designed the new helicopters’ striking artwork, with the colours and designs representative of the local communities the helicopters will serve.

The design features a distinctive dragonfly motif, known in the Torres Strait as ‘Kuyup’ – a term also used by islander peoples to describe a helicopter. Together, the two aircraft will form the Lagaw Kuyup (Island Helicopter) Rescue Service.

The modern choppers replace two Bell 412 helicopters currently servicing the region.

They will be stationed at Horn Island by the end of the year. The current base will also be upgraded to accommodate the new helicopters.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“As the Ministerial Champion for the Torres Strait I am acutely aware of the challenges of providing health care in this beautiful, and extremely remote, part of Queensland. 

“These brand-new helicopters will support our hardworking health hero’s to safely transfer patients and deliver emergency health care in some of the most remote locations in the state.

“Not only will these brand-new helicopters safely transfer patients and deliver emergency health care, they will also provide enhanced search and rescue capability which is a critical service in the region. 

“It’s wonderful to see the stunning artwork on the aircraft by Badu artist Alick Tipoti, reflecting the local community and culture of the Torres Strait.

“This is another initiative the Miles Government has delivered on our commitment to improving health outcomes for the people of Cape York and the Torres Strait.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Cook, Cynthia Liu:

“Everyone hopes they will never need to use an emergency helicopter, but these new ‘dragonflies’ will give people in Torres Strait and Cape York the confidence that this vital service will be available to them.

“The brand new Lagaw Kuyup rescue service helicopters are sophisticated, fast, high-powered, and far-reaching, which is exactly what we need in our vast and remote location.

“We have a unique operating environment up in Torres Strait and Cape York. Delivering these helicopters is a result of the strong collaboration between the Miles Government and Babcock, featuring artwork by the world-renowned artist Badu artist, Alick Tipoti.”

Quotes attributable to A/Executive Director of Retrieval Services Queensland, Queensland Ambulance Service Michael Cussen:

“With dedicated clinical resources and state of the art facilities, we can ensure the same level of care provided in the major centres is available to Torres Strait and northern Cape York Peninsula communities.

“These two new helicopters can travel further and faster, helping to improve patient outcomes and deliver healthcare across the remote region.

“The aircraft cabin will include a roll-on-roll-off powered stretcher loading system compatible with QAS and Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) stretchers for increased ease of access and improved patient care and comfort.”

Quotes attributable to Babcock Australasia Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cridland:

“Babcock has served the Torres Strait community for more than 27 years, so we understand the often unpredictable and unforgiving conditions residents face in an emergency. And how important it is to have a high performing emergency helicopter service providing fast and quality healthcare.

“These two state-of-the-art custom helicopters will allow our crews, and Queensland Health’s highly skilled medical staff, to safely undertake high-stakes rescue operations in this remote part of Australia.

“Our purpose at Babcock is to create a safe and secure world together and these upgraded services will further improve equitable access to healthcare for the people of the Torres Strait.”

Quotes attributable to Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Rex O’Rourke: 

“We are proud to work together with Queensland Ambulance Service, Retrieval Services Queensland, and Babcock Australasia to support our extremely rural and remote communities.

“These helicopters are a vital tool in delivering healthcare across our region as they are the most effective and efficient way to transport those living on remote islands or remote communities.

“Unlike other parts of Queensland, it is Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service doctors who travel on these helicopters, alongside QAS paramedics and Babcock pilots and crew, to attend to medical emergencies.”

ENDS