MEDIA STATEMENT ABOUT CLOSURE OF MACKAY BASE HOSPITAL HELIPAD
November 13, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM RACQ CQ RESCUE CEO TIM HEALEE
The closure of the helipad at Mackay Base Hospital for three years presents significant challenges for the region’s rescuers and a potential risk to patient care.
The $250 million upgrade of the hospital commencing in January 2024. which includes a new roof-top helipad. was very welcomed but was a huge concern for RACQ CQ Rescue which would be unable to land onsite in Mackay to transfer patients.
Conducting patient transfers at the Mackay Airport was “unacceptable” and would place considerable strain on an already stretched Queensland Ambulance Service, as well as a blow out hospital transfer times.
It could also be potentially very detrimental to patient care outcomes, RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee said.
The community-funded rescue service was strongly advocating for an alternative temporary helipad to be constructed on site at the hospital and had the full support of corporate supporters, including many heavy weights from the state’s mining industry.
“To be unable to take a critically ill patient directly to the Mackay Base Hospital is just not an acceptable situation, considering we are talking a three-year period here,” Mr Healee said.
“Conducting a patient handover to ambulance crews at the Mackay Airport will also significantly increase the time it takes to get a patient to the hospital and places additional pressure on Queensland Ambulance Service crews,” he said.
“We have been attempting to engage with various stakeholders including the Mackay base Hospital on this issue for quite some time now, but at this stage there is still yet to be an acceptable outcome.”
An urgent and combined effort between multiple stakeholders, including Queensland Health, the State Government and Mackay Regional Council, was needed to reach an agreement.
“At the end of the day, our lifesaving service relies heavily on community support and we are doing are very best to advocate for our patients and prioritise their care in this region,” Mr Healee said.
“I hope that all stakeholders can come together urgently and agree on a better solution for the safe transfer and treatment of our ill and injured in Central Queensland.”
To date, RACQ CQ Rescue has completed 629 missions this year.
By the end of the year, this completed missions figure will far surpass the services’ second busiest year on record of 630 missions in 2022.
The closure of the helipad at Mackay Base Hospital for three years presents significant challenges for the region’s rescuers and a potential risk to patient care.
Please credit any released photos and video footage to RACQ CQ Rescue.
Please note: Full title of rescue service is RACQ CQ Rescue.
For further information please contact:
Naomi Noy
RACQ CQ Rescue
Ph: 0417 578 182