New Bundaberg Hospital will have a rooftop helipad

Bundaberg’s new hospital will have a rooftop helipad with direct access to the Emergency department, Operating suite, Intensive Care Unit and Medical Imaging department via “hot lifts”.

A rooftop helipad on the new Bundaberg Hospital is set to play a vital role in speeding up medical responses and enabling the safe and efficient transport of critically unwell patients.

A rooftop helipad on the new Bundaberg Hospital would play a vital role in speeding up medical responses and enabling the safe and efficient transport of critically unwell patients.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service capital projects executive director Peter Heath said in a statement released on Tuesday the new hospital’s larger helipad would enable quicker patient transfers and support the needs of the growing Wide Bay region.

The first sod was turned on the $1.2b project in May, and more than 2800 jobs are expected to be generated throughout construction, which should be finished by late 2027.

The Bundaberg Regional Council announced in July it would undertake precinct planning for 1300 homes near the hospital, primarily for hospital workers.

A rooftop helipad on the new Bundaberg Hospital would play a vital role in speeding up medical responses and enabling the safe and efficient transport of critically unwell patients.

“During emergencies, every minute counts, and having access to a rooftop helipad will ensure all patients requiring aeromedical transfer receive the necessary care without delay,” Mr Heath said in the statement.

“The rooftop helipad will have direct access to the Emergency department, Operating suite, Intensive Care Unit and Medical Imaging department via dedicated elevators.

“These elevators, known as ‘hot lifts’, are much larger than a typical hospital lift, sized to accommodate the complex needs of critically unwell patients, including the multiple staff performing critical care.

“We engaged with local LifeFlight personnel several years ago when we were making our case for the new hospital, who were strong advocates of a rooftop helipad.

“I’m pleased our new hospital has been designed to include this important key feature.”

A rooftop helipad on the new Bundaberg Hospital would play a vital role in speeding up medical responses and enabling the safe and efficient transport of critically unwell patients.

LifeFlight clinical lead Dr Chris McMullen said the inclusion of a purpose-built rooftop helipad at the new hospital was welcomed by LifeFlight crews.

“For safety reasons, we’re currently unable to land our heavier AW139 aircrafts at the hospital helipad on Bourbong Street,“ Dr McMullen said.

“Once the new hospital is built, our crews will be able to transfer and retrieve directly from the rooftop, providing better safety outcomes for patients, medical staff and our crews.

“It will also provide patients with greater privacy, free up paramedics to provide care to other patients and improve overall operations for our LifeFlight crews – it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Originally published as New Bundaberg Hospital will have a rooftop helipad