Critical Care Paramedic Kath Copland has been named the first recipient of the Jerry Charters Scholarship for Aeromedical Advancement.
The scholarship enabled Kath to attend a two-day Paediatric Advanced Life Support course in Auckland.
The Jerry Charters Scholarship for Aeromedical Advancement was launched in April this year. It provides opportunities for specialist training and professional development for clinicians working on the rescue helicopters across Canterbury and the West Coast.
The scholarship is named after Jeremy ‘Jerry’ Charters. Jerry left a gift in his will to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, providing the foundation funding for the scholarship.
In her 11 years on the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Kath says she has attracted more than her fair share of very unwell children.
“Just the other week I had to assist delivering a 32-week gestation infant at midnight in the back of a helicopter!” Kath says.
With a passion for paediatric medicine, Kath wanted to hone her skills and increase her knowledge to ensure she could achieve the best possible outcomes for her smallest patients.
The Paediatric Advanced Life Support did just that.
“The course was brilliant. To be able to spend two days working with other clinicians, sharing in their knowledge and hearing their tips and tricks was invaluable. I’ve come back to work with an increased knowledge and skills I can share with my clinical colleagues.” Kath Copland.
The course was primarily aimed at doctors and nurses who work outside of a major hospital environment and focused primarily on airway management.
“Because children are so small, airways can close quickly. In the rescue helicopter we do everything from keeping children oxygenated right through to putting them to sleep, intubating them and breathing for them.
“We’re basically giving the same level of care they would receive in an emergency department of a major hospital, but we might be on the side of the road or in the air.”
The Canterbury West Coast rescue helicopter service is operated by GCH Aviation.
GCH Aviation Crew Support Manager and Critical Care Paramedic Tatsu Kuwasaki says a paramedic’s scope of practise has expanded considerably in the last ten years.
“Advanced care paramedics today are expected to deliver a level of care that ten years ago we never dreamed would be possible in the kind of remote environments our rescue helicopter crews work in. It’s exciting, but it also requires a huge investment in terms of time and training.”
Tatsu says thanks to the Trust’s support, the crews enjoy some of the most advanced equipment, but specialist training is just as vital when it comes to delivering improved patient outcomes.
“Our rescue helicopter crews are faced with some of the most complex situations. This Scholarship supports our crews by providing specialist training over and above what’s expected – it’s a chance to elevate their skillsets and deliver on the promise of clinical excellence.” Tatsu Kuwasaki
The Scholarship is guaranteed by the Trust for the next three years after which it’s hoped ongoing donations will replenish the fund, enabling the scholarship to continue.
“We hope Jerry Charters’ generosity inspires others to donate to the fund, so this scholarship can continue supporting future generations of aeromedical professionals to deliver exceptional care to those who need it most,” says Kathryn Marshall, Fundraising Director, Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
“Jerry Charters trusted us with his legacy and we hope he would be proud of how we have honoured that. We know the legacy of Jerry Charters will truly be life-saving,” Kathryn says.
