BRISTOL ROYAL INFIRMARY:  Private helipad







Note:  All four of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
 

Location:  In Bristol city centre

Period of operation: 2014 to -









NOTES:  Amongst all the cities in the UK Bristol was, without much doubt, the most backward in realising that a helipad for emergency use at the main hospital was essential for saving lives. There is a concept in the medical fraternity called 'The Golden Hour', which means that if very seriously impaired or injured people can recieve the proper treatment within an hour, the chances of them surviving are greatly increased. 

Prior to the purpose-built helipad opening in 2014 it appears that HEMS helicopters landed at College Green, hardly ideal, or even further away at Clifton Down. Two Google Earth © pictures show where these sites are. Perhaps oddly, I had expected to find a helipad marked out on Clifton Down, but trawling around back to 2000 I have failed to find one.

Another aspect I fail to understand, looking at the second picture, is why a 6.4 tonne weight limit is imposed? It surely makes no sense.

But, it has to be said, that after a long career moving things around, I have come to the conclusion that amongst professional bodies, architects stand head and shoulders above the rest for being, so very often, utterly incompetent. For example, very few realise that after designing an office block, the furniture and fittings need to installed after the building has been finished.

Clearly the chance of a major disaster in the Bristol area ever occurring has been ruled out. Despite the fact that totally unexpected disasters occur all the time around the world. Should a major disaster occur, the only helicopter available for mass evacuation is the Chinook operated by the Royal Air Force, which is 11,148 kg empty and with a MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight) of 22,680kg.

A few other hospitals in the UK have arranged trials to see if their helipads are suitable for use by Chinooks.