Emergency medical transfers performed by NSW Police Force for 30 years

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• published: 28 Oct 2014
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In 1984 pioneering heart surgeon, Dr Victor Chang, approached the NSW Police Force seeking assistance to reduce the ischemic (the time interval between cutting blood flow to the heart and recommencing the flow in the recipient), times for his transplant patients. The task was allocated to Maroubra Highway Patrol under the leadership of the then-Sergeant Tony McCue. After some discussions with Dr Victor Chang and his team, guidelines were drawn up and on Sunday 28 October 1984 the St Vincent’s Heart Transplant team travelled interstate. Upon their return to Sydney Airport the hospital team were met by three Highway Patrol cars for the trip back to St Vincent’s Hospital at Darlinghurst. The vehicles were driven by Sgt McCue, Sgt Daryl Irvin and Snr Cst Mal Best. Due to the unknown factors in the exercise, police were manning all traffic points between Sydney Airport and St Vincent’s Hospital, and the Emergency Medical Transfer was completed without incident. The process was reviewed and the procedures have been refined, the need for all traffic points to be manned stopped, and these days an Emergency Medical Transfer always involves two marked Highway Patrol cars. They are assisted by the Roads and Maritime Service’s Transport Management Centre, who provides a ‘green light corridor’ between the airport and the hospital or between hospitals. This multi-agency approach ensures safety and efficiency. In the past 30 years, the NSW Police Fore has assisted the Human Organ Transplantation teams within NSW – and the visiting teams from Queensland and Victoria – on nearly 2300 occasions, assisting with the movement of hearts, lungs and livers and other organs on a needs basis. NSW Police have assisted transplant teams travel by road to Newcastle, Wollongong, Penrith and many hospitals in between: on four instances they have travelled to Canberra and return. The Highway Patrol Police have an enviable record in reliability and safety over the past 30 years. As a result, police have assisted in saving and improving the quality of life of more than 3500 people. Since January 2000, the responsibility for the Medical Transfers within the greater Metropolitan area has been borne by Highway Patrol Police from Rose Bay, Surry Hills and Botany Bay. HWP Police from regional centres also assist the process when needed. How often are the transports conducted? (eg per month) We average 60 to 70 escorts per year, sometimes 2 or 3 in 24 hours, it totally depends upon suitable donors & recipients. Would other motorists be aware of the transports? Not generally, as there is a level of confidentially with the whole process and the role of Police is not highlighted in an effort to ensure confidentially. Are there any instances when poor behaviour on the part of other drivers has caused problems? As all drivers of Emergency vehicles have experienced you can never guarantee what a motorist is going to do when confronted with an emergency vehicle with it’s lights and sirens on. Just one recommendation to not slam on the brakes when a Police car approached from behind. Has there ever been any crashes? The worst incident was a scratch on a door from a flexi pole on the Eastern distributor. No collisions and definitely no injuries. Do you do other work beside the transports? The three HWP units all perform normal Highway Patrol duties and maintain a group of Police On-Call outside rostered work hours to address any transplant needs. Do you know what you are carrying? Yes. The Police drivers are well aware they are carrying some of Australia’s foremost transplant surgeons & medial team plus the greatest gift someone could give another – Their organs. Has this made you appreciate the importance of donating organs? The majority of the HWP Police are acutely aware of the need to register and discuss their intent to donate their organs or not. As a police officer, does this work give you a sense of achievement? Being involved in the process gives you a tangible result to your day at work. I know I’ve done my best to help someone’s mother, father, son or daughter. Even the staff at the Transport Management Centre who assist with the Green Light Corridors feel their contribution. Is there any specific training required for police to conduct these transports? All members of the Highway Patrol undergo specialised driver training and the members of the three EMT endorsed units undergo further training specific to Medical Transfers then have to perform a minimum of three Transfers under supervision before they can lead. Many of our lead drivers have completed more than 40 transfers