Northern Ireland

RVH sees 164 air ambulance landings in first year

Since the first test flight, there have been 164 landings by the air ambulance onto the roof of the RVH
Since the first test flight, there have been 164 landings by the air ambulance onto the roof of the RVH Since the first test flight, there have been 164 landings by the air ambulance onto the roof of the RVH

NORTHERN Ireland's air ambulance has landed at the helipad at the Royal Victoria Hospital more than 150 times in the last year.

Since the first test flight on February 18 2020, there have been 164 landings onto the roof of the west Belfast hospital's critical care building.

The first patient was brought to the RVH helipad just days after the test flight by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) air ambulance team.

It has meant Northern Ireland’s most seriously ill and injured patients have been able to access the hospital’s emergency department and specialist trauma services within minutes of being transported.

The hospital hosts Northern Ireland’s Major Trauma Centre.

Before the helipad was built, patients arriving by air ambulance had to land at Musgrave Park Hospital or at George Best Belfast City Airport before being transported to the RVH by road ambulance, which could take up to 25 minutes.

Dr Cathy Jack, chief executive of Belfast Trust, said the Air Ambulance NI is a "vital part of our emergency care delivery across Northern Ireland".

"Over the past very challenging year with the Covid-19 pandemic there have been over 160 patients transported straight to the major trauma centre in the RVH in the first year," she said.

“Every minute saved in the transfer of a critically ill patient increases their chance of a successful recovery.

"Having a helipad above the emergency department at the RVH, where we have skilled teams ready to receive them, means the patient receives the right care with the right team at the right time and in the right place.

"The installation of the helipad at RVH was a huge step forward for the region in ensuring that patient’s accesses trauma care as quickly as possible and therefore better chance of successful recovery."

Dr Nigel Ruddell, NIAS medical director, said: "When we watched Helimed23 first touchdown on the roof of the Royal a year ago, none of us knew just what a tumultuous year it was going to be for health services right around the world and yet throughout this time the team have continued to provide the highest standard of care to critically ill patients across all of Northern Ireland".

Glenn O’Rorke, NIAS operational lead for the HEMS team, added: "Many of our patients are critically ill or injured where their life is in balance.

"Our team provides critical care at scene including surgical procedures, anaesthetic and administering blood – ultimately, we want to get the patient to definitive care as soon as possible.

"Having access to the RVH helipad means we can arrive from anywhere in Northern Ireland within 25 minutes and that really does help save lives."