New isles hospital helipad after landings suspended

NHS Western Isles has set up an alternative landing site for coastguard helicopters after flights to and from a helipad near its largest hospital were suspended.

In September, the UK's coastguard search and rescue helicopter service stopped landings at most of Scotland's hospital helipads because of safety concerns.

Operator Bristow took the action following a safety review ordered after a woman died in an accident in Devon in March 2022.

The UK-wide move affected 23 Scottish sites, including helipads for hospitals in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

NHS Western Isles said its new temporary site serving Stornoway's Western Isles Hospital was the first of its kind to be put in place following last year's review.

Chief executive Gordon Jamieson said the helipad at Mossend adhered to the coastguard's operational and safety requirements.

He added: "This ensures that critical care air transport can continue to operate without interruption, even in challenging weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances."

In the accident in Plymouth three years ago, the 87-year-old woman was walking through a hospital car park close to the helipad when she was blown over and injured while a helicopter was landing.