MEDIA STATEMENT: Aeromedical investment takes flight  

Aeromedical investment takes flight  

• Two major announcements reaffirm the Crisafulli Government's commitment to delivering world-class healthcare for all Queenslanders. 
• A brand-new emergency helicopter delivered for the Torres Strait, with a second due later this year.   
• LifeFlight locks in a key partnership with world-leading helicopter company Leonardo.    

The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to secure world-class health services for all Queenslanders by bolstering the state’s aeromedical network. 

LifeFlight and Leonardo Helicopters have today announced a $250 million partnership, bringing new aircraft and state-of-the-art training and engineering facilities to Queensland. 

The partnership will see LifeFlight’s Training Academy become an accredited Leonardo Authorised Training Centre, delivering high-level simulators and training for pilots and crews to practice complex procedures. 

LifeFlight will also become an authorised service centre able to deliver maintenance and repair services for Leonardo helicopters from its 5,000sqm LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls welcomed the partnership and said Queensland was a natural fit for an investment of this magnitude.  

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to delivering a world-class health system for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live,” Minister Nicholls said.  

“These enhancements to the aeromedical network are providing an expanded fleet, enhanced capability and solid support and training for our crews and assets. 

“All of these moving parts come together to ensure our aeromedical system can reach more patients in a timely manner, and where every patient - right across the state – can receive the highest quality care.” 

Two new emergency service helicopters will also soon start operations in Torres Strait and northern Cape York Peninsula communities. 

Babcock Aviation’s first Leonardo AW139 helicopter ‘Dragonfly’ has made its maiden journey to the Torres Strait, where it will deliver lifesaving operations covering 48,000 square kilometres. 

The new aircraft, which sports a distinctive dragonfly design on its livery, can fly faster and further than the existing fleet and has enhanced retrieval, search and rescue capabilities, assisting crews to respond quicker to those needing emergency assistance. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the new aircraft will provide greater aeromedical emergency healthcare for regional Queenslanders.  

“Having access to emergency medical helicopters is critical in Far North Queensland due to the restricted movement of vehicles across the hundreds of islands within the archipelago,” Minister Nicholls said.   

“Leonardo’s flagship AW139 helicopter is the most advanced rescue helicopter in the world, meaning further range, speed and safety for our aeromedical crews while retrieving patients.” 

Executive Director Retrieval Services Queensland Queensland Ambulance Service Dr Mark Elcock said the exciting developments with service delivery partners such as LifeFlight and Babcock will only benefit patients that rely on the aeromedical network. 

“The new AW139 helicopters ensure the same level of emergency helicopter capability that is provided to the major centres is also available to regional communities, particularly in areas as the Torres Strait and northern Cape York Peninsula communities,” Dr Elcock said.  

“These aircraft are the most capable emergency helicopters currently in Australasia, and it’s delivering greater capability for our flight doctors and paramedics who respond around-the-clock to retrieve and rescue patients.”

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Torny Miller 0439 426 196