CareFlight marks 40 years of flying the hospital to the patient

Key points

• CareFlight has marked 40 years of sending doctors and paramedics to patients by helicopter. The Northern Beaches has seen more than 20 tasked incidents by July this year, and flights are becoming more common.
• CareFlight's National Medical Director, Dr Toby Fogg, says population growth is a factor, along with better outcomes from bringing hospital care to the patient. The Rapid Response helicopter, based at Westmead, is funded by the NSW Government, naming rights sponsor Mounties Care, grants and donations, so patients are not charged.
• The service began in 1986 and now also operates turboprop planes, jets and road vehicles.