EMERGENCY helicopters will be able to land on the grounds of Portland District Health (PDH) before Christmas, with community consultation for a new helipad starting this week.
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The helipad is planned between Sea View House and the hospital’s emergency department. Previous plans to build the Helipad on Ploughed Field, across the road from the hospital, were reviewed and deemed impractical.
PDH chief executive officer Chris Giles said it was impractical to bring patients across the road (to Ploughed Field) under the previous plan as an ambulance crew would have been required.
“The Ploughed Field is also a very important historical link to Portland,” Ms Giles said.
She said the new site was perfectly positioned next to the emergency department.
“It is a more efficient use of resources and the best site for moving people in urgent need,” she said.
Traffic lights will be installed at either end of the street, activated only when the helicopter is arriving and departing.
Meetings will be held with residents of Harbourside Lodge and Sea View House. The wider community will also be invited to comment on the plan.