A new helipad has been opened at Wales’s largest hospital in a bid to avoid “critical” delays and extra ambulance journeys, health managers say.
The landing platform has been built above the accident and emergency department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. It will give the Wales Air Ambulance immediate access into the A&E unit for both routine and major trauma incidents.
Hugh Ross, the chief executive of Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said: “A fully operational helipad will play a key role in supporting the University Hospital of Wales as a regional trauma centre,” he added. “This is a very exciting time for the Trust and our members of staff have worked long and hard to make this possible. Most importantly, this will provide quicker access to care and treatment when patients need it most.”
The chief executive of Wales Air Ambulance, Angela Hughes, said: “We are a vital life-saving service and every second counts in any life-threatening situation. Well placed landing sites and helipads are crucial to our operations.”
Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, Wales Air Ambulance and pilots from the helicopter operator Bond Air Services ran test exercises on Friday ahead of the official opening this week.
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