After several delays, the highly anticipated $15 million helipad at Launceston General Hospital (LGH) has successfully completed its first trial run.
One of the state’s rescue helicopters conducted several test flights to and from the new facility on Friday evening from 5:30pm to 10pm.
The helipad, located atop the Cleveland Street carpark, is designed to significantly reduce emergency response times by allowing helicopters to land directly at the hospital.
Currently, aircraft must land at Launceston Airport so patients can be transferred to hospital by ambulance.
Initially announced in February 2023 with an expected completion date later that year, the project faced delays that pushed the timeline to mid-2024.
Despite the setbacks, the helipad was successfully linked to the LGH in May this year, overcoming the delay and high cost attributed to its large size.
The first flights followed a test of the helipad’s Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System (DIFFS) on October 1.
This system ensures a ‘fast and effective’ response in the event of a fire and features multiple nozzles that automatically telescope and spray water onto the helipad in case of an emergency.
The helipad will be operational in the coming weeks.
