An ambitious plan to construct a lifesaving helipad at Mull and Iona Community Hospital is coming to fruition, thanks to a £400,000 donation from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads. The funds will cover the entire cost of the helipad.
The hospital is a 50-minute ferry journey away from Oban and around 15 minutes away by road from Glenforsa airstrip, which is currently used for medical evacuations by helicopter. By having a permanent, purpose-built hospital helipad, the Scottish Air Ambulance and larger HM Coastguard helicopters will be able to land right next to Mull and Iona Community hospital, which will avoid the need for a transfer by land ambulance to the airstrip. This will ensure that specialist hospital treatment at another A&E hospital or major trauma centre can be accessed within the Golden Hour and thus improve patients’ outcomes… more in the printed issue

Photo: The NHS team show their delight at receiving a cheque from the HELP Appeal. Photo by Kathryn Dyer