DATA used to justify the decision to stop winching operations at the Tamworth Westpac Rescue Helicopter base may be outdated and not an accurate reflection of the current situation.
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Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said yesterday he had met with Health Minister Jillian Skinner to discuss the reinstatement of winching, expressing his concerns that statistics used by the government may not be an accurate reflection of “what is happening on the ground”.
He said he had been approached by many people, including some with a direct link to the service, who questioned the accuracy of the data.
“As a result, I have been asked to conduct local research, gather information and data and report directly back to her office,” Mr Anderson said.
“I believe this research will be timely, as there are changing circumstances within wider and regional communities.”
It comes after the NSW Opposition raised the issue in parliament’s question time this week, referring specifically to an incident in the Warrumbungle National Park earlier this month when a second helicopter from Newcastle had to be called to the area to winch an injured climber.
A chopper from Tamworth was initially tasked, but was unable to retrieve the patient after winching operations from the Tamworth base were ceased in 2013 following a review of aeromedical retrieval operations across the state.
Opposition health spokesman Walt Secord said this week “waiting two hours on the side of a cliff with serious injuries for a helicopter to make the long-haul flight is un-acceptable” and having helicopters equipped with a winch was “common sense” for a region with national parks like Warrumbungle that were popular with climbers and bushwalkers.
Mr Secord suggested funding cuts were to blame for the decision, however the government has been quick to refute the claim, saying it was based on frequency of winching operations in the region.
Mr Anderson said he would now meet with stakeholder groups to gather the information he needed to take back to the minister.
“We have a highly professional and dedicated aeromedical retrieval service based in Tamworth and they should be provided the opportunity to use every rescue retrieval option available to them, if the need is there,” he said.
