Far north rescue helicopter flights under review after person injured at Innisfail
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Rescue helicopter flights have been temporarily suspended at Innisfail Hospital in far north Queensland, after a passing pedestrian was injured during a take-off.
It’s reported a woman was walking in a street near the hospital in mid-July and fell after being caught by the downdraught from the helicopter.
She was treated for her injuries and has since been discharged from Innisfail Hospital.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) confirmed its Workplace Health and Safety Team is investigating an incident near the Innisfail Hospital helipad last month.
In a statement, the Service said the helicopter service has been temporarily relocated to operate from the Innisfail aerodrome at Mundoo, about six kilometres away.
Ambulances will transfer patients between the hospital and the aerodrome.
The investigation will involve Queensland Government Air, who operate the rescue helicopter service, and Retrieval Services Queensland, to identify if the helipad needs safety upgrades.
CHHHS said the investigation is due to be completed soon.
Moving patients by helicopter is a routine part of patient care in far north Queensland, where they’re used instead of long road journeys by ambulance.
Helicopters are used to get people to hospital care faster, and for transfers from smaller hospitals to regional health care hubs like Cairns and Townsville.
