Coastguard suspends landings at 23 Scottish hospital sites

The UK’s coastguard search and rescue helicopter service has suspended landings at most of Scotland’s hospital helipads because of safety concerns.

Operator Bristow has taken the action following a safety review ordered after a woman died in an accident in Devon in March 2022.

The 87-year-old was walking through a hospital car park close to the helipad when she was blown over and injured while a helicopter was landing.

Bristow’s UK-wide move affects 23 Scottish sites, including helipads for hospitals in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The busiest affected sites in Scotland are:

• Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (58 coastguard landings between May 2022-May 2024)
• Western Isles Hospital (52)
• Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (21)
• Glasgow’s Golden Jubilee (20)
• Campbeltown (13)
• Ayr (9)
• Dundee (6)
• Dumfries and Galloway (5)

Other locations, but where there were no coastguard landings in the timescale involved, are in Arran (Knockenkelly and Ormidale), Barra, Skye, Fort William, Kilmarnock, Melrose, Millport, Moffat, Mull, Oban, Rothesay and Stranraer.

Ten Scottish hospital helicopter landing sites (HHLS) meet recommendations made by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and recently issued Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations.

But safe zones for the coastguard’s large helicopters need to be extended to protect people from the risk of “downwash” from the machines’ engines.

NHS National Services Scotland has distributed the safety notice.

Bristow said safety was its priority and its operational guidelines were set by the CAA.

A spokesperson added: “Management of these sites is the legal responsibility of the NHS trusts.

“We continue to work with all NHS trusts to ensure continued safe operations within CAA guidelines at all sites.”

The Scottish government said Scottish Air Ambulance and charity air ambulances could still land at all Scotland’s helipads.

A spokesperson said: “The limited recommendations applicable to Scottish sites are being acted on by NHS Scotland, and we expect wider recommendations are being acted on across the rest of the UK.

“Health boards in Scotland have reported no issues with the transport or care of patients while this action takes place.”

Landing sites at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth and Gilbert Bain in Lerwick have been cleared for use.

Scotland’s busiest affected sites are at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Stornoway’s Western Isles Hospital.

NHS Western Isles said it had alternative arrangements in place at Stornoway Airport until further notice.

The airport is about four miles from the hospital.

A spokeswoman said: “NHS Western Isles would wish point out that, in over 30 years of operation, there have been no incidents relating to physical injury as a result of the location of the helipad at Western Isles Hospital.

“However, we acknowledge and accept the recommendations of the AAIB.”

NHS Western Isles has started work on finding a site for a new HHLS, and the spokeswoman said tests landings were likely.

She said members of the public should not be alarmed by the sight of a helicopter landing in an area unexpectedly.

NHS Grampian said it was working with other organisations to make improvements at its Aberdeen site.

A spokesperson said: “On average more than 260 helicopters land safely at our Foresterhill site each year and we are committed to ensuring our facilities remain safe for patients, the public and our staff.

“We are currently working to enhance the safety of our helipad to ensure it meets the most up-to-date guidance available.”

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership said it was in discussions with Bristow about the new requirements.

NHS Highland said it was establishing a project team to address issues with its affected helipads.