A programme of works to upgrade the helipad at Raigmore Hospital has been completed, with the landing site now fully operational and equipped to meet increasing demands.
With over 500 flights each year, it’s a common sight to see helicopters arriving and taking off from the helipad based at the hospital in Inverness.
The upgrade to the current landing site will allow the helipad to meet the increasing demands for larger and more-frequent aircraft as well as new standards such as additional landing lights and helipad size.
At a cost of just under £600,000, the upgrade was made possible thanks to two charitable donations; a grant of £480,000 from the HELP Appeal, and just under £120,000 from the Highland Health Board Endowment Fund.
Dr Andrew Rowlands, consultant in emergency medicine and clinical lead for the emergency department, said: “The helipad at Raigmore Hospital serves as an essential time and lifesaving facility on which the entire population of the Highlands and Islands may depend, not only due to the enormous area served by NHS Highland, but also the distance covered and the remote locations.
“The upgrade to the helipad will ensure what we have on site is fit for the future.”
Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal, added: “This is the charity’s first completed helipad project for 2019.
“I am delighted the helipad has been upgraded and is now fit for purpose to receive patients from across the region.
“We now look forward to funding the build and modernisation of many more hospital helipads across Scotland.”
The work, which took approximately three months to complete, was carried out by Kier Construction.
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- Companies:
- NHS Highland
- Raigmore Hospital
- Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads Appeal