Life Flight's new Auckland Air Ambulance takes off

Life Flight's new Auckland Air Ambulance takes off!

The Life Flight Trust, operators of the Wellington based Life Flight NZ air ambulance, commenced operation of its new Auckland based fixed wing air ambulance service yesterday - a partnership between Life Flight and the Auckland District Health Board (ADHB).

Life Flight's newly fitted out pressurised aircraft - which is dedicated for the new service - arrived in Auckland on Sunday. It was accredited that night for air ambulance operation.

A blessing of the aircraft was performed by chaplains from Counties Manukau DHB and pre-service checks of our specialist equipment were completed by ADHB and Life Flight staff.

Today the new Auckland service is completing its first missions - returning a patient home from Waikato to Taranaki and, on the return leg, bringing a patient from Taranaki to Waikato for specialist care. We have also been booked to bring two stretcher patients from Taranaki to Waikato later today.

This is Life Flight's second dedicated air ambulance. The Life Flight NZ air ambulances are the only air ambulances in New Zealand able to transfer two stretcher patients, four medical staff and four relatives at the same time.

Life Flight is very grateful for the support of the New Zealand Community Trust, the principal community funder of the service, to enable the new service to get established.

The new service will be formally launched by Life Flight's Patron, the Governor General, in Auckland on 10th March. Further details regarding this event will be forwarded closer to the time and media are invited to attend.

ENDS

© Scoop Media