Hospital helicopter site fails safety standards
By Maurice Garvey
TALLAGHT University Hospital (TUH), the only hospital in Dublin with a helipad, does not meet safety requirements for Coast Guard helicopters, according to an ongoing audit process.
According to the Department of Transport, the issue is related to an ongoing series of audits of hospital helicopter landing sites by the operator contracted for SAR in Ireland (CHCI DAC).
However, TUH told The Echo that they have not been informed of any such decision by the Department.
The Echo understands helicopter landings at TUH are currently ongoing and 17 have taken place from 2017 to date.
Other than Tallaght, no other hospital in Dublin has a landing site for helicopters, however landing sites exist in parts of the city including Phoenix Park and Dublin Airport.
This audit process is being carried out to ensure that helicopter landing sites are within the regulatory safety requirements.
A spokesperson for the Dept of Transport said: “Tallaght Hospital site does not meet the safety requirements for Coast Guard helicopters due to the development of adjacent infrastructure.
“In addition to Dublin Airport, Coast Guard helicopters use approved landing sites in Kilmainham, Phoenix Park and a site adjacent to Beaumont hospital. All helicopter patient or casualty transfers are coordinated with the national Ambulance service.
“As part of the on-going audit process, any issues identified are communicated to the relevant hospital authorities with recommended corrective actions via the National Ambulance service as matter of course.”
A spokesperson for TUH said: “Tallaght University Hospital has received no notification with regard to the status of its helicopter services from the Department of Transport.
“From 2017 to date there have been a total of 17 helicopter landings at TUH – those landings include Coastguard and Army Helicopters missions carrying patients for TUH and other hospitals in the city and also landings as part of pilot training for these services. Helicopter landings at the hospital are ongoing.”
TAGS news
