Home News Top Stories
Hospital's helicopter landing boost
A BIRMINGHAM hospital is to become the first in the region to allow air ambulances to land 24 hours a day.
The helipad at Heartlands Hospital, in Bordesley Green, can accept emergency cases brought in by air now it has been floodlit using new aviation lighting.
Since 2004, the air ambulance has taken 214 flights to Heart-lands, transporting critically-ill patients to get the urgent care that they need.
Neil Parkinson, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust's chief ambulance pilot, said: "New floodlighting means we are able to get help to sick people at all times of the day, ensuring Heartlands is at the forefront in air ambulance trauma care."
As part of the Civil Aviation Authority regulations, a minimum of four trained fire-fighters must be present on the flight deck during landing time.
David Harrison, the trust's estates officer, said: "Heartlands is the first in the region to be able to take night flights."
* Have your say on this story at www.birminghammail.net/news/yoursay
Copyright and Trade Mark Notice © 2008 owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited. Birmingham Mail™ is a trade mark of Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.