A permanently based turbo-prop aircraft and jet will now enhance the aeromedical charity’s capability to provide lifesaving patient transport services to and from the region.

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The aircraft support CareFlight’s patient transport services operated with NSW Health, as well as national and international medevac services.

In addition to giving the CareFlight team a larger geographic reach and faster service capabilities, the expansion will deliver new jobs to the region with employment opportunities for local staff, including nurses, pilots and engineers.

CareFlight patient transport vehicles are also based in Newcastle, staffed by local drivers and specially trained nurses, providing patient transport between the aircraft and hospital.

CareFlight’s operational teams work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide support for the aircraft. CareFlight’s Operations Centre and specialist teams are equipped to provide logistical support and coordination throughout the patient’s journey.

CareFlight CEO Mick Frewen said continuous improvement and service innovation in healthcare is at the heart of the not-for-profit organisation’s mission to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community.

“Newcastle is an ideal geographic base for patient transport services for residents in Northern and North-Western NSW, as well as for CareFlight’s Air Ambulance services in the Pacific region,” Mr Frewen said.

“We’re delighted to be improving the service we provide with NSW Health, giving patients from regional areas greater access to the very best level of healthcare to meet their needs, while ensuring they are transported with the highest standards of patient care and safety.”

CareFlight’s Patient Transport Service (PTS) operates as part of NSW Health’s integrated high and low acuity transport system.

It provides a lifeline for many patients from regional and rural communities in Northern NSW.

NSW Health coordinates patient movements with CareFlight’s HelpPoint logistics team.

The addition of a permanently based aeromedical King Air turbo-prop aeroplane in Newcastle enhances CareFlight’s capacity to provide vital patient transport for the community.

The service transports patients needing specialist treatment and procedures that are not available locally.

Once they have had the treatment or procedure, they are then flown back to their local hospital to recover.

The Newcastle-based aircraft will increase the efficiency of the service and its capacity to readily transport patients from regional and rural NSW to and from John Hunter Hospital, as well as specialist hospital facilities in Sydney.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley highlighted the significant impact the expansion will have on the region.

“Now we’ve got a dedicated plane for regional NSW patient transport and a jet air ambulance for both local and international medevac services, meaning faster care for those who need it most,” she said.

“The NSW Government is excited to see CareFlight’s new service take off, adding to the other great healthcare improvements we have already.”

Additional patient transport vehicles and crews are also strategically located at major regional centres in Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Tamworth and Armidale, to support those major centres and surrounding communities.

The B400 Beechjet-Nextant jet now based in Newcastle forms part of CareFlight’s Air Ambulance service capability, operating throughout Australia, Asia and the Pacific.

The service transports patients who are abroad and need to be brought home for medical treatment, as well as transports Australians interstate when they are sick or injured and the critical treatment they need, isn’t available locally.

The Newcastle-based operation has also benefited from further improvements thanks to more than $1 million in charitable donations from CareFlight’s national and local supporter base.

“To all those generous donors, we really cannot thank you enough,” Mr Frewen said.

“Each contribution plays a significant part in enabling our team to enhance the service and vital healthcare provided to patients.”

Newcastle Airport Interim CEO Andrew Warrender said it was a privilege for the airport to support such an important community institution as CareFlight.

“The move to establish a permanent aircraft base at the airport supports our mission to be the airport our region deserves and marks a new chapter in our ongoing partnership with CareFlight to enhance the quality and reach of medical care available,” Mr Warrender said.