New Zealand's unique topography, its relatively small population spread across several islands and a health system built around five main tertiary centres, means air ambulances and rescue helicopters are essential.
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Without an air ambulance a sick baby might not survive the 230km trip from Rotorua to Auckland. Without a rescue helicopter an accident victim on the Kapiti Coast may not survive the long road journey to Wellington Hospital for the life saving intervention they require.
Without Life Flight's service some intensive care patients could not be flown because there is no other air ambulance service in New Zealand that could meet the acute needs of these patients. Effectively, for some of these patients, this could be fatal.
Life Flight meets the needs of around 1,500 patients every year, about 500 of whom are children. 24 hours a day, seven days a week patients can be flown under the watchful eye of an expert medical care team.
The service requires specialist skills and equipment, all of which are crucial and expensive. The Life Flight Trust requires $4million each year from the community to keep this service flying.
