To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any reasons why the helicopter landing site at Causeway Hospital is not currently available for routine use by HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters; (i) any outstanding works or assessments required; and (ii) any anticipated timeframe for enabling its use.

Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) has advised:

The Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopters utilised by the SAR operator require a clear 60m downwash and outwash zone that has to be secured during landings. Causeway Hospital does not have a clear 60m zone from the helipad. The NHSCT continue to engage with the SAR operator, in the anticipation that they can collectively find appropriate safety mitigations and approvals that would allow the aircraft to land at Causeway Hospital.

A Heliport Safety Report has been completed by an aviation operations specialist which includes consideration of SAR helicopter operations into the Causeway Hospital. The recommendations are being taken forward for costing and depending on funding and agreement from the SAR operator on risk mitigations a timeline will be set for implementation.