council PAGE 8
life & style PAGE 12
inside TE starts PAGE 15
levee plans go on show
when size does count
golden oldies shine on stage
JUly 24 2013 www.newcastlepost.com.au
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Funds to the rescue Decision sees doctors, paramedics go on all rescue flights Amelia Parrott
T
he Hunter Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service will soon have a doctor and paramedic on onboard thanks to a long-awaited funding boost announced by the NSW Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, last week. $4.8 million was announced for the provision of doctors on helicopter missions in the Hunter, with a further $2 million to go towards the New England/North West service, providing aero-medical protection to much of northern NSW. Prior to the announcement, the service was forced to rely upon ambulance paramedics, which could cause delays. The change is part of a list of reforms announced by the NSW Government that will also see medical and paramedical crew on call 24/7 at the Newcastle Helicopter Base from January 2014 and a dedicated emergency retrieval ambulance available to support rapid road retrievals. Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service general manager, Richard Jones, was doubtful the new system would be up and running by January but said the announcement was nonetheless great for the community. “We’ve been pushing for four or five years for this and we always said we’d take whoever they could send us, but to get the rolled-gold standard of a doctor and a paramedic is great news for us and for the community,” he said. “Having a doctor and paramedic means we’ll be able to undertake all sorts of missions and there will be
dumping a big issue Maitland Councillor Philip Penfold has called upon Maitland City Council to more closely regulate the charity and commercial clothing bins that are spread across the city. In a question posed to last night’s council meeting, Councillor Penfold asked if anything was being done to act on illegal dumping around the bins, particularly in instances where trip hazards were being created.
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scrap artist’s win
Local sculptor takes out prestigious prize Page 7
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s Richard Jones (right) with Newcastle MP Tim Owen last week
fewer time delays which is better for patients.” Maitland MP Robyn Parker welcomed the changes to the service. “More paramedics and doctors
on every flight, faster response times and better outcomes for Hunter patients is great news for our community and will help to save lives,” Ms Parker said.
The changes to the Hunter service will bring it in line with NSW Health Department standards, which requires a doctor and paramedic on every rescue flight.
rock-star reception
Team’s excitement over live match broadcast Page 24