Rescue helicopter demand remains high

Rescue chopper crews last year carried an increasing amount of patients from Queenstown to Dunedin, the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust’s 2023-24 annual report indicates.

The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service responded with critical care for 1,883 patients across the lower South Island in the year to June 30, the report said.

Over the year, the rescue service also carried out 941 hospital transfers, an increase from 935 in the previous year.

“We are expecting that the high levels of demand for the service will continue and grow, reflecting the region’s demographics, clinical pathways, and the ability to respond in more circumstances,” chairman of trustees Martin Dieppe said.

The report noted that the trust has continued to co-fund the critical Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service, along with the Crown.

The trust provides $800,000 a year (plus $400,000 contributed by the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust) as well as funding innovations that are beyond the scope of the Crown contract, such as the network of Instrument Flight Rules routes that have been developed across the lower South Island.

“As the next review of the Crown’s contract approaches in 2026, we will continue to engage with the Crown both as co-funders, and as the community voice, for the essential Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service that provides critical responses across our challenging geographic region,” Mr Dippie said.

“Trustees are proud of and committed to assisting to maintain and further develop the world-class rescue helicopter service in our region.”

The annual report was presented to the Otago Regional Council yesterday.

The ORC is a major funder of the Trust, donating $350,000 annually.

ORC chair Gretchen Robertson said the report highlighted the critical work the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust does for the region.

“This is an important service that unquestionably saves lives every year. Otago is a large and geographically diverse area, and this service plays a critical role in helping patients across the region. The hundreds of patients cared for over the past year reinforces how valuable this service is for the people of Otago.

“I want to thank the trust, pilots and emergency response staff who play an important role in saving lives and helping our communities every day.”