Carrying Patients to
Life-changing Medical Care
Every week, the Taranaki Air Ambulance makes, an average of 14 flights carrying patients to life-changing or life-saving medical care not available in Taranaki. Recently we have also been contracted to bring patients from other regions into Taranaki for care they cannot receive in their own regions.
The service is provided by the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust (TAAT), a not for profit trust established in 2006 to provide a quality air ambulance service for the people of Taranaki.
In the last 12 months, the Taranaki Air Ambulance transported an average of 668 patients for medical care.
The support of Taranaki people and businesses keeps this vital asset ready to support the people of Taranaki
How TAAT Operates
FUNDING
The trust fundraises to provide good facilities at the airport, specialist equipment and well trained flight nurses to ensure patient comfort and safety.
PEOPLE
Volunteer trustees oversee the provision of the service, supported by a small administration and telemarketing team.
OPERATIONS
TAAT contracts the provision of the service to Skyline Aviation, a specialist aeromedical service operating nationwide.
THE SERVICE
TAAT is contracted to provide the service for TDHB, who manage the patient transfer in partnership with St John’s and Skyline.
Our Mission
The primary objective of the trust as defined by that trust deed is to:
Raise funds in the Taranaki area and elsewhere to enable the Trust to provide and support air ambulance service, for the benefit of the Taranaki community.
To achieve the objective, the Trust holds a contract with Taranaki Health Board for the provision of an Air Ambulance Service. The trust contracts an independent operator, Skyline Aviation to carry out this service.
“I still think of the excellent service you provided when my late wife was being treated for a terminal illness. You flew us to Hamilton and back to New Plymouth and a few days later down to Palmerston North.”