Need For Helicopter Landing Pad Seen

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31740, 25 July 1968, Page 15

Need For Helicopter Landing Pad Seen

The provision of landing facilities for helicopters at Christchurch Hospital in the future was discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board.

In the absence of a suitable site at the hospital, at present, it was decided to make arrangements with the R.N.Z.A.F. for Wigram to be used for helicopters, except in special circumstances. The board considered, in view of the likely increasing use of helicopters in transporting patients requiring urgent treatment, that it should keep provision of a landing pad at the hospital in its planning. Mr J. B. Hay said that at present, in view of the lack of hard standing and facilities for getting patients in

and out of helicopters. Wigram airfield was the only logical place. Elsewhere there could be difficulties getting an ambulance to and from the landing area. Mr R. G. Armstrong urged that in line with practice in overseas countries the board should have a helicopter landing pad on the roof of one of the hospital buildings. The Health Department, with a lack of foresight, had refused a previous request for a helicopter landing pad to be incorporated on the roof of the qew clinical services block to be built at Christchurch Hospital. Mr Armstrong said several patients had been brought to the hospital by helicopter in the first six months of the year; a landing pad at the hospital should be adopted as future policy. “I am sure you are right,” said the acting chairman (Mr L. A. Bennett). But the previous policy on helicopters had been disgraceful as the whole of the air services had denied that they were any good. In addition the design of the new block incorporated a pitched roof under which would be housed all sorts of services. When demolition of old buildings was carried out, a suitable area might be made available, Mr Bennett said.

Planning for helicopters should be kept in mind and trends observed in other countries.

Mr Hay made the point that providing for landings on the roof of a building also meant providing for the lift to be brought up to the roof. This could be costly, he said.

Alterations Approved

Authority has been given to the North Canterbury HosJiital Board to call tenders or alterations and additions to the radiotherapy department at Christchurch Hospital.

This will house the new linear accelerator for cancer treatment which has been purchased in the United States and is awaiting shipment

Good progress has been maintained with the working drawings and specifications for geriatric wards and the occupational therapy department at Princess Margaret Hospital. These are expected to be finished soon.

Roller Hockey.—The New Zealand toller hockey team to compete in the Pacific championships at Brisbane in September ia: L. Griffiths (Auckland, captain). L. Durbin (Auckland), w. Tongs (Te Aroha), N. Mudgway (Mapawatu), D. McKelvte (Wellington). G. Clarke (Christchurch), J. Duckworth, M. South (Otago).