The retrieval specialist had become accustomed to spending part of every shift up in the air with the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter or the Mainland Air flying ambulance on patient transfers.
''It's the perk of my job. I so love it,'' he said. ''You work in a very small team and you actually carry the equipment of a small hospital with you. We can nearly do anything, treating little babies to elderly people, from people who are not that sick to people who are very sick.''
Mr van Tuel (65) retired after a 47-year nursing career which included 23 years at Dunedin Hospital and 16 years in the intensive care unit.
Click the links below to read more:
Southern District Health Board - Better Health
National Bowel Screening Programme - Starting Soon!
Free B4 School Check for a healthy start
