HEMS New Zealand Limited

HEMS New Zealand Limited (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services New Zealand) holds the New Zealand Government contract for helicopter emergency ambulance services across the South Island. It does this with three partner operators, which fly the aircraft.

What it does

The site says HEMS crews respond to a range of emergencies:

• Treating and moving acutely unwell patients to hospital
• Planned care and transport of patients between hospitals
• Land, water and mountain search and rescue with New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Rescue Coordination Centre and Coastguard

Crews work alongside other ambulance providers, including Hato Hone St John, which runs road ambulances in the region.

Area covered

The contract covers the South Island, Stewart Island, the Sub-Antarctic Islands and nearby marine and coastal areas. The service is ready 24 hours a day.

Operators and bases

• Helicopters Otago: Dunedin and Queenstown
• GCH Aviation: Christchurch, Nelson and Greymouth
• Southern Lakes Helicopters: Te Anau, as available

Each operator keeps its own fleet of equipped aircraft and employs the medical staff. Four community trusts also support the service: Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust and Lakes District Air Rescue Trust.

Facts

• Type: government contract holder that delivers helicopter air ambulance care through partner operators
• Six bases across the South Island
• Aircraft: helicopters, flown by the partner operators

Who it is for

The service is for patients across the South Island who need urgent helicopter care or a transfer between hospitals. The company also takes feedback and complaints from patients and families, and handles requests for patient information by email.