The Twizel Medical Centre team are the recipients of this year’s National Award for Emergency Response and Healthcare, in recognition of their clinical leadership and coordinated emergency response to a high-impact multi-casualty bus collision near Lake Pukaki. This award recognises distinguished individuals, groups, or organisations within healthcare and emergency services who demonstrate excellence in the acute management and care of road crash patients.
On the 18th of July 2024 at approximately 8:30 AM, emergency services and local healthcare teams responded to a major incident where two busses carrying around 100 Chinese tourists crashed on an icy portion of State Highway 8 between Lake Tekapo and Twizel. Among the respondents included the Twizel Medical Centre PRIME (Primary Response in Medical Emergency) team.
As a service, PRIME operates as part of New Zealand’s rural emergency care network and involves specially trained rural clinicians to ensure patients receive timely care when traditional ambulance services may be geographically limited.
“Through collaboration between primary care teams, ambulance services, and the wider health system, the PRIME program continues to enhance the safety and resilience of rural communities by bringing skilled emergency care closer to home,” Chairman of the High Country Health Ltd Board trading as Twizel Medical Centre, Simon Williamson said. 
