Hunter Retrieval Service

The Hunter Retrieval Service (HRS), critical care doctors and nurses have been delivering inter-hospital retrieval services to our region for more than 25 years.

Based at John Hunter Hospital, the HRS provide 24 hour / 7 day a week critical care advice, medical care and transport for critically ill and injured patients located within Hunter New England, Mid North Coast and beyond. Patients are transported by road, helicopter and / or a fixed wing aircraft.

The inter-hospital retrieval team is comprised of a Senior Intensive Care Nurse and a Consultant or Senior Trainee from Emergency, Anaesthetics or Intensive Care.

Retrieval drivers joined our HRS inter-hospital team in 2015, with the introduction of our dedicated retrieval road vehicle.

In March 2014, HRS commenced a pre-hospital (primary) service based at the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) base in Newcastle.

In conjunction with NSW Ambulance (NSWA) paramedics, HRS doctors provide advanced medical decision making and care to patients at pre-hospital scenes (e.g. motor vehicle accidents) before transporting them to hospital for their ongoing care.

In conjunction with other emergency services, the HRS pre-hospital service also fulfils a state rescue role that includes Search and Rescue, and helicopter winch operations.​​