Heli-pads Suggested Fur Hospitals

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32386, 27 August 1970, Page 10

Heli-pads Suggested Fur Hospitals

The North Canterbury Hospital Board Will consider the installation of a ' helicopter landing pad at Burwood Hospital and will also investigate the posslibility of one for Christchurch Hospital. Mr C. F. Whitty, a’member of the board’s works committee, told the monthly meeting of the board yesterday that the time was right to consider the possibility of helicopter ambulances now that many country hospitals were closing and there Was a shortage of country doctors. The time was also oppor-

tunp to space for STS! spinal injury unit and paraplegic hostel had ’ become definite projects, said Mr “1 think also we should consider having a landing pad on top of one of the new •st- a 3““ ,a ‘ He also recommended that the board suggest that the Health Department investigate the possibility of supplying a helicopter service. “If country residents arfe to lose their hospitals,. I be-

Hove that the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) and his department should provide a more rapjd form of transportation than ambulances,” The chairman (Dr L. C. L. Averill) said that the proposal had been considered in the past, and he was sure the works committee would review it again. The Medical Superintend-eat-in-Chjef (Dr L. McH. Berry) said that consideration would be given to putting a heli-pad on top of the tallest block of the proposed development of wards and clinical services block ai Christchurch Hospital. The suggestion for helicopter ambulances is not a new one. Consideration is being given at present to the possibility of installing landing pads at Auckland hospitals to cater, for such a service. One of the main factors in favour .of the scheme in Auckland has been motorway accidents which often result in traffic, build-ups for many miles and hamper the work and delay the arrival of ambulances.