12 August 2008

A busy start to the snow season for Ambulance

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today urged people to take care when enjoying their time on the ski slopes this season.

Ms Meagher said this year has been particularly busy for Ambulance paramedics with 112 people injured so far this season - already surpassing the number of people injured during the entire season last year.

"Paramedics have treated serious limb fractures, head injuries and internal injuries as well as sprains, strains and bruising which have side-lined ski enthusiasts from novices to veterans," Ms Meagher said.

"The slopes around Perisher are very popular during the peak snow season and to assist paramedics with their workload two new state-of-the-art Arctic Bearcat Snowmobile 'Skidoos' have been commissioned to operate out of the Perisher Valley Ambulance Station.

"The new Skidoos have been fitted with emergency warning lights and carry the markings of the Ambulance Service of NSW. The Skidoos have a sled attached and are being used for quick on-snow responses by ambulance paramedics.

"Once treated by paramedics, patients are placed on the sled and transported to a waiting stretcher ambulance for transport to hospital."

In addition to the skidoos, an ambulance 4WD vehicle has been fitted with a Mattracks track conversion system, which allows it to travel over snow, mud and boggy ground.

NSW Ambulance General Manager of Operations Mick Willis said with the influx of people taking to the snow the Ambulance Service is called to respond to a wide range of incidents.

"During the busy NSW snow season this year the ambulance station at Perisher Valley will operate with 18 seconded paramedics, three on duty during the day, with two on-call paramedics responding at night," Mr Willis said.

"These paramedics are specially trained in snowfield access and retrieval."

The Perisher Valley Ambulance Station is also supported by the Ambulance Medical Retrieval Unit's Ambulance Helicopters and the SouthCare helicopter based in the ACT.

NB: Photographs are available from Ambulance Media by calling (02) 9320 7796.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au