Wellington Intensive Care Unit

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WELLINGTON FLIGHT RETRIEVAL SERVICE

The Wellington Flight Retrieval Service was established in 1994 and transports over 800 patients a year between hospitals in New Zealand. These include critically ill patients from smaller hospitals that require the advanced ('tertiary') level care provided in Wellington, and those returning back to the hospital nearest to home.
Lifeflight Hangar And Rotor
Retrieval Team
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Flight Nurse
Helipad corridor
Cook Strait Clouds
Flight Nurse With Balloon Pump
Wellington Flight Team
Lifeflight hangar sunrise
Life Flight Logo
Most transfers are by fixed wing (aeroplane) with the remainder by helicopter and road ambulance. All the vehicles are shared with the Wellington Neonatal Unit Retrieval Team which is staffed from Wellington Hospital's NICU. The helicopter is also used by the New Zealand police force, the army, and Wellington Free Ambulance as well as for search & rescue work.
The flight team work very closely with Life Flight who provide the specialist aircraft, pilots, crew and facilities at Wellington Airport required for aeromedical retrieval work.
A retrieval team are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The only factor that rarely limits availability is the weather in either Wellington or the retrieval destination.

THE AIRCRAFT

Life Flight Wellington use a British Aerospace Jetstream J32 fixed wing aircraft and a BK 117 helicopter. Life Flight Auckland use a Fairchild Metroliner.

Lifeflight Fixed Wing British Aerospace Jetstream 32
BAe Jetstream 32
Able to transfer 2 stretcher patients simultaneously. Pressurised, twin propellers. Cruising speed 488km/hr to maximum altitude 25,000 feet.
Life Flight Helicopter BK117
Kawasaki BK 117
Cruising speed 260km/hr to maximum altitude 13,450 feet. Able to carry 1 stretcher patient and 5 others (medical staff and relative).
Life Flight Auckland Metroliner
Fairchild Metroliner
Able to transfer 2 patients simultaneously. Pressurised, twin propellers. Cruising speed 450km/hr to maximum altitude 27,000 feet.

Following a change of aircraft supplier to Life Flight Wellington, the Fairchild Metroliner in Wellington was replaced by the BAe J32.
The new aircraft was launched in June 2012 with a unique 'bandage' design from Weta Workshop.
Life Flight Auckland continue to use the Metroliner.

THE FLIGHT RETRIEVAL TEAM

The members of the flight team vary depending on the acuity of the patient. When planning the transfer, the flight co-ordinator or flight nurse will communicate with the referring hospital to determine which category (A,B or C) the patient falls into:

CAT A
Intensive Care Patient: requiring ventilation +/- multi-organ support

Intensive Care Doctor, Flight Nurse, Crew Member

CAT B
High Dependency Patient

Flight Nurse, Crew Member

CAT C
Transit Patient: returning home or coming to Wellington for elective surgery

Transit Care Nurse, Crew Member

Life Flight television promo

Used with kind permission of the Life Flight trust

FLIGHT NURSING


The Wellington Flight Retrieval Service has a two tier nursing model consisting of 10 Intensive Care Flight Nurses and 6 Transit Care Nurses.
The Intensive Care Flight Nurses work 12 hour shifts with 4 day shifts and 4-6 on-call night shifts over a 6 week roster period.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Intensive Care Flight Nurses must meet the following criteria


  • A minimum of 2 years working in Intensive Care or Emergency Medicine
  • A 'Careers Pathway' progression of proficient, working towards expert
  • To have completed the ICU or trauma course, working towards certification
  • Meet the requirements for the air medical programme
  • Be able to work effectively under stress in a confined environment
  • Be able to recognise when intervention is necessary
  • The desire to extend their knowledge and enjoyment of the challenges of the aviation environment
  • Meet and pass the aeromedical fitness check
TRAINING:

All flight nurses must attend the annual 3 day Wellington Flight Course prior to flying.
They must also accompany a trained flight nurse on 10 'buddy' flights which must include transfers by helicopter, fixed wing and road. Only after this are they able to accompany patients alone.
Wellington Flight Nurses 2011

Click to enlarge

Flight nurses are able to administer any medication they deem necessary from the list of pre-approved 'standing order' drugs without specific medical prescription. The on-call Intensive Care Consultant is available for telephone advice 24 hours-a-day.

All Flight Nurse training and transfers meet the Standards Of Practice of the New Zealand Flight Nurses Association.
ICU Flight Retrieval Doctor

MEDICAL STAFF


Medical staff are provided from the ICU Registrar roster with a doctor available 24 hours-a-day. An ICU Consultant may accompany the Registrar with the sickest or youngest patients.

All Registrars beginning work in Wellington ICU are briefed on the flight service with teaching on medicine in an aviation environment and orientation to the helicopter and airplane. This also includes teaching on available equipment & medication, health & safety training, and advice on working in an isolated & restricted environment.

Most medical staff will participate in 10-15 interhospital transfers during their 6 month rotation through ICU.

All transfers meet the College of Intensive Care Medicine's Minimum Standards For Transport Of Critically Ill Patients (IC-10)
Wellington MET statistics

More information about our flight service can be found by clicking here and in a paper published in the New Zealand Medical Journal in March 2012.

Clinical oversight for the flight retrieval service is provided by Henny Nicholls (Charge Nurse Manager) & Dr.Alex Psirides (Clinical Lead)
LifeFlight Retrieval Aircraft

This page was last updated on Monday, 04 March 2013 10:23:34

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