To ask the Minister of Health to detail the hospital helicopter landing sites that are currently unavailable for use by HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters, including (i) any reasons why it is unavailable; and (ii) any anticipated timeframe for enabling its use.

Causeway Hospital – The helipad is currently not suitable for HM Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) operations due to physical constraints. The SAR helicopters utilised by the SAR operator require a clear 60m downwash zone that is secured during landings. The Causeway Hospital helipad does not have a clear 60m downwash zone. 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 timeframe for enabling its use has been set and will depend on ongoing discussions with the SAR operator, agreed safety mitigations and available funding.

Antrim Hospital – Antrim Hospital does not have a clear 60m downwash and outwash zone, however the NHSCT are in discussion with the SAR operator to review risk mitigations for the possible use of this landing site.

The RVH Helipad is currently operational and available only to the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. The Search and Rescue (SAR) operator, Bristow, assessed the helipad and advised that it may be possible to utilise it for a limited number of aircraft within its current fleet.

The SAR operator was advised that any use of the helipad would require a formal request to the Belfast Trust Executive Team and the development of a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Belfast Trust and Air Ambulance Northern Ireland to establish how and when landings could be facilitated.

This process remains ongoing and there are currently no timescales in place for when the helipad may become operational for SAR use.

Helicopter landing sites at South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, and Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry are CAP 1264 compliant in terms of the relevant design and physical infrastructure however, they are not operational for the SAR operator due to physical constraints.

The Western Trust also has a landing site at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex. It is not operational to the SAR operator and operational manuals are currently in development for this site.