New Air Ambulance site at hospital ‘will speed patients’ journeys’

A new air ambulance helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital will shave vital minutes off a patient’s journey to critical care, the operator said.
By PA
Published 18th Feb 2020, 15:13 BST
Updated 18th Feb 2020, 15:23 BST
An air ambulance used by the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) on the helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast, where the first test landing of an air ambulance took place on TuesdayAn air ambulance used by the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) on the helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast, where the first test landing of an air ambulance took place on Tuesday
An air ambulance used by the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) on the helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast, where the first test landing of an air ambulance took place on Tuesday

Previously people in life-threatening conditions had to be transferred from Musgrave Park Hospital to the Royal.

The first test flight landed on the roof of the Royal’s critical care building on Tuesday.

It should be fully operational by next week.

An air ambulanceAn air ambulance
An air ambulance
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Glenn O’Rorke from operator Air Ambulance Northern Ireland said: “It is a milestone for us.

“It is one piece of the jigsaw that was missing, to be able to bring the patient direct from scene to the major trauma centre.

“It is a huge triumph for us but at the heart of it are our patients.

“Patients will benefit from this and outcomes will benefit because of the reduced time that we can get from scene to hospital.”

An air ambulance used by the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) on the helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast, where the first test landing of an air ambulance took place on TuesdayAn air ambulance used by the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) on the helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast, where the first test landing of an air ambulance took place on Tuesday
An air ambulance used by the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) on the helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast, where the first test landing of an air ambulance took place on Tuesday
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The public pay for fuel for the aircraft, run by the charity.

Mr O’Rorke said the proximity of the helipad to the best care could be life-saving.

He added: “Under the roof there are specialities that deal with brains, that deal with chest and abdominal injuries, orthopaedics, they are under one roof.

“We can get the patients to hospital within 25 minutes rather than having a secondary transfer from Musgrave or the City Airport.”

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The helicopter arrived after a campaign for an air ambulance service by the late Dr John Hinds.

Dr Hinds provided medical assistance at motorcycle races.

He died in an accident in July 2015, but his partner Dr Janet Acheson continued his campaign.

Mr O’Rorke added: “If we can reduce the time to definitive care that patient has a better chance of a positive outcome.”

Related topics:Royal Victoria HospitalAir ambulancePatients