HEMS New Zealand Limited

HEMS New Zealand Limited holds the New Zealand Government contract to provide helicopter emergency ambulance services across the South Island, Stewart Island, the Sub-Antarctic Islands, and surrounding marine and coastal areas. The company operates through partnerships with three experienced air ambulance operators.

These partners are Helicopters Otago, GCH Aviation, and Southern Lakes Helicopters. Their bases cover six locations: Dunedin and Queenstown for Helicopters Otago; Christchurch, Nelson, and Greymouth for GCH Aviation; and Te Anau for Southern Lakes Helicopters, when available. Each operator maintains its own fleet of specially equipped helicopters and employs medical staff trained in advanced clinical care.

HEMS teams respond to a variety of emergencies including pre-hospital treatment and transport of acutely unwell patients to hospital, planned patient transfers between hospitals, and land, water, and mountain search and rescue operations. These missions are conducted in collaboration with New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, Coastguard, and other ambulance providers such as Hato Hone St John.

The service is supported by four community trusts: Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, and Lakes District Air Rescue Trust. HEMS crews operate 24 hours a day, providing critical care throughout the region. They focus on patient safety and clinical governance through their subsidiary, HEMS Clinical Ltd, which oversees quality control and improvement in patient care.

HEMS Clinical Ltd ensures transparent and objective investigation of clinical events to improve service quality. No fatal or severe loss of function events (SAC 1) have been reported in recent years, indicating a strong safety record. The company emphasizes values of trust, respect, integrity, and compassion in all aspects of its operations.

HEMS New Zealand has demonstrated ongoing government approval to deliver helicopter emergency medical services through its contract. Its aircraft are helicopters managed by partner operators, equipped for basic to advanced life support. Their patient services are focused on those requiring urgent helicopter care or hospital transfers within the South Island and outlying regions.

Services

• Emergency helicopter ambulance
• Pre-hospital emergency care
• Inter-hospital patient transfer
• Search and rescue
• Land search and rescue
• Water search and rescue
• Mountain search and rescue
• Clinical care 24/7
• Patient feedback handling
• Clinical governance