The emergency helicopter landing pad at Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway has had a major upgrade thanks to a £40,000 donation from a charity.
The surprise cash injection from the HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal was made after the charity’s chief executive Robert Bertram read about problems with the pad in the Press and Journal last year.
The need for an upgrade became obvious in July during a test landing of the new Bond helicopters which were being brought into service by the Scottish Ambulance Service.
The stretchers on board these helicopters have automatic drop-down wheels which were incompatible with the surface, potentially causing vital time to be lost during emergency transfers.
NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson said the health board would be speaking to the Ambulance Service about options for upgrading the helipad – only to be approached by the HELP Appeal.
The charity pledged £40,000 for a complete upgrade, replacing the grass surface with reinforced concrete paving, and installing new lighting upgraded as well.
Mr Bertram said: “We had no hesitation in donating £40,000 to cover the entire cost of Western Isles Hospital’s helipad upgrade.
“Following our pledges of £700,000 to both Glasgow and Edinburgh’s hospital helipads, the Western Isles are the furthest north we’ve ever been and we hope the upgrade will make a huge difference for seriously ill patients and trauma patients needing treatment at Stornoway Hospital.”
He added: “I read an article in the local newspaper saying how Western Isles Hospital urgently needed to upgrade its helipad.
“We have people supporting us all over the country, including Scotland, so it’s important to help save lives wherever there is a need.”