FAQs
Q – Why has it taken so long for a decision?
A – A helipad remains a key objective for the Trust. The space limitations of the estate required the helipad to be located above a building, dropping down into the Emergency Department. A design was developed for a helipad and as with any design, there are a number of risks associated with developing the project. A key risk for the helipad included the existing condition of the ageing estate.
The recent Emergency Department refurbishment has allowed a detailed understanding of the building as the major refurbishment has required buildings to be stripped back to their core. This was not possible during the helipad conceptual design as the buildings were being used 24/7 to provide urgent and emergency care.
Q – Why can’t the helipad be built / Why has the Trust changed its mind?
A – Building the helipad as planned would require a number of enabling schemes to be put in place at great inconvenience to the organisation and at great cost. This would include the need for the medical ward block (circa 90 beds) to be re-provided elsewhere, as well as the Imaging department. The building would then likely require significant strengthening.
Further more, part of our ED and EAU would need to be closed for the duration of works, decreasing much needed patient capacity. The programme and cost to deliver this level of enablement ultimately deemed the current helipad scheme viable in theory but not in in practise. As the Trust progress its updated master plan for the hospital site the future viability of a Helipad will be further considered.
Q – What other areas have been looked at to site a helipad?
It is clear from the design development carried out to date that a helipad could only be provided on a new structure on the hospital site. As the Trust progress its updated master plan for the hospital site, the future viability of a Helipad will be further considered.
Q- Why doesn’t the NHS pay?
A – It is not a simple case of funding preventing this scheme from progressing. The impact this scheme is now understood and anticipated to have on the hospital is deemed to be intolerable, thus making the scheme unviable in practise.
Q – What will happen to local patients needing an air ambulance?
A – Air ambulance services will continue to operate in the area and will continue to utilise the school field when needed.
Q – What other areas have been looked at to site a helipad?
It is clear from the design development carried out to date that a helipad could only be provided on a new structure on the hospital site. As the Trust progress its updated master plan for the hospital site, the future viability of a Helipad will be further considered.
Q – What will happen to stroke patients needing treatment within the golden hour?
A – Patients will still receive emergency intervention from the Trust’s emergency department, paramedic teams and first responders.
Q – Will there ever be a helipad at the hospital?
A – The Trust aspires to have a helipad, and future developments will continue to consider the viability of developing an efficient design solution. However, the Trust and Charity have taken the difficult decision that it is not appropriate to hold onto donations made for this purpose, with no date in sight.
Q – What happens with the money raised?
A – Those donations, unless specified, will support some truly transformational charitable projects, revolutionising facilities for patients going through life changing circumstances. These include robotics surgery, maternity, critical care and neonatal care.
Q – What happens if I want a refund for my donation?
A – Hopefully most people will recognise the importance of the other projects needing support, however, if a donor requests that they would like their donation returned and have evidence of their donation, then the charity will start the process of refund.
Q – Is the charity legally meant to offer donors their money back?
A – Although not a legal requirement, the Charity’s Trustees are respectful of those that have given freely to this appeal and while they hope that those donations will be used to benefit patients through other significant charitable projects, they respect donors wishes should they request a return of donation. This is not a legal provision though as under the s222 NHS Act 2006, the funds can legally be applied to any of the other functions of the Foundation Trust.