CONCERN: Craig Crawford, FNQ state councillor for Queensland’s ambulance employees union United Voice, said the case of a stuck chopper was “almost as bad as it gets”.
THE Far North’s only emergency helicopter was stuck on the tarmac at two airports with a ventilated patient inside for almost 90 minutes because of a shortage of beds at Cairns Hospital.
An ambulance union official has confirmed the EMQ helicopter was dispatched to Atherton on Tuesday to transport the “quite ill” patient to either Cairns or Townsville hospitals.
But with beds full at both places they were told to stay where they were.
With light fading the pilot chose to fly back to Cairns, where they were forced to wait another hour at an aircraft hangar with the patient still in the back.
Cairns Hospital officials have confirmed the facility did reach a Code Black level on Tuesday but gave no detailed information on the case.
“Patients from regional and remote areas are transported to the closest facility able to provide definitive care based on their medical condition,” Medical Services executive director Dr Neil Beaton said.
“A patient was transported by the EMQ Helicopter to Cairns Hospital for treatment (on Tuesday) night.”
Craig Crawford, FNQ state councillor for Queensland’s ambulance employees union United Voice, said the case was “almost as bad as it gets” and this was the first time he had ever heard of a helicopter being delayed.
Mr Crawford, who is also the ALP candidate for Barron River, said staff at Cairns Hospital were not to blame. He pointed the finger at government funding cuts to Queensland Health that had left the facility under-resourced.
“Whatever occurred (on Tuesday night) should not have occurred,” he said.
“That helicopter and crew should never have been left on the ground for that long. It’s not right by the patient and it’s not right by the crew.
“The only worse thing would be if a patient suffered or died and that is the next thing that is going to happen.”
He said it was fortunate there had been no other emergencies the helicopter was called to during the wait.
“It’s a very expensive piece of equipment.
“It should not be used as a waiting room,” he said.
A hospital spokesman confirmed the 68-year-old female patient remained in the hospital yesterday in a critical but stable condition.