Australia's CareFlight has become the country's first operator of the EMS version of the Airbus H145 light twin helicopter. The aircraft will be used by the aeromedical services provider for rapid response missions in the greater Sydney area.

CareFlight's H145, which was unveiled at a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House, provides advanced patient care including medical interventions such as intubation and ultrasounds, as well as blood and plasma transfusions.

The aircraft can carry a medical crew of three and a patient on full life support and intensive-care monitoring. The helicopter's rear doors also open outwards so that EMS crews are able to load and unload patients on wheeled stretchers faster and safer, reducing valuable transfer time.

The H145 is a fit-for-purpose platform, offering a quick start solution and is the only helicopter in its class capable of nimbly executing EMS missions within a metropolitan city. The aircraft's small footprint allows it to easily navigate among skyscrapers, landing and taking off quickly from point to point.

“The H145 is internationally recognised to be the most advanced aeromedical helicopter in the world. We are very happy to be the first in the country to launch the H145 EMS, which will be immediately operative to save lives and deliver the best possible aeromedical service,” says CareFlight CEO Mick Frewen.

“It is an honour to welcome CareFlight as a new H145 operator, with EMS being a growing area of need in Australia. The H145 is a tried and tested platform with advanced operational capabilities, and we are confident that it will not only fully meet CareFlight's requirements but excel in its missions to save lives,” adds Airbus Australia Pacific MD Andrew Mathewson.

The addition of CareFlight as a new operator rides on the success of H145 EMS operations in the Asia-Pacific region, which includes New Zealand, Japan and Thailand. Today, Airbus has more than 1,450 H145 family helicopters in service around the world, logging a total of more than six million flight hours. For EMS alone, there are more than 450 H145 family helicopters conducting rapid response missions worldwide.

CareFlight national medical director Toby Figg concludes: “We fly our specialist doctor and NSW Ambulance intensive care paramedic to the scene of trauma so they can immediately assess and commence clinical treatment. For patients who are critically injured or ill we know this gives patients the best chance of survival, and with the H145 online, we will be able to arrive and commence treatment sooner.”