Hopes new helipad at CUH could receive first patient later this week 

The long-awaited new helipad project at Cork University Hospital (CUH) has finally been completed, with operational testing taking place today. 

The hospital’s CEO, David Donegan, welcomed pilots and crews from the HSE and air corps and will welcome coastguard personnel tomorrow.

CUH was also supported by colleagues from the National Ambulance Service and Cork Fire Service in undertaking the tests.

South/South West Hospital Group said the new helipad will be connected to the hospital, over the next three to six months, via a covered link bridge

Until then, an ambulance will convey the patient to and from the emergency department, or other unit on campus.

The facility will support all emergency pathways, including children, critical care, stroke, heart attack, maternity, and major trauma.

CUH’s previous helipad was closed to make way for a new emergency department in 2003, so emergency helicopters had to land in Bishopstown GAA pitch or Cork Airport, with patients then transferred by ambulance.

Mr Donegan said the new helipad is a “major improvement in access to and from CUH, with patients now being able to be receive their life-saving care within 10 minutes of landing, dramatically reducing the times it currently takes when the helicopters need to land either at local GAA grounds or at Cork Airport”.

Testing this week covers the helicopter approach to the helipad, and safety procedures prior to the approach, during the landing and at take-off.

The safe transfer of patients to the emergency department will also be tested.

South/South West Hospital Group said that subject to these tests, it is hoped the helipad could receive its first patient flight later this week.

The HSE South applied for planning permission for the new helipad in 2018, with conditional permission granted in mid-July 2019.

After delays in construction due to the pandemic, it was hoped the helipad would be operational by early 2024.