Hmmmmm
http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.u..._-_tabled.docx
"In March 2013 the Department for Transport announced that it had signed a contract with Bristow Helicopters Ltd to provide search and rescue helicopter services in the UK with operations commencing progressively from 2015. The new service is expected to be fully operational across the United Kingdom by Summer 2017 and will use Agusta Westland AW189 and Sikorsky S-92 based at ten locations around the UK.
The result in this change of operation of the Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) service has created a situation whereby a SAR Sikorsky S-92 helicopter cannot land on the heliport at the RVI. Since the introduction of Bristow’s this is the aircraft which has responded to the RVI using the secondary landing site on Castle Leazes Moor.
Concern was raised as soon as this became apparent and enquiries were made to establish a way forward and reinstate the heliport to receive these aircraft. The philosophy has always been to deliver a stabilised patient to the A&E department as quickly as possible to greatly increase the chance of survival in extreme circumstances.
In order to receive a Sikorsky S92 the specification of this would need to be 33 metres in diameter with a load capacity of 12 ton. The current weight limit is 9.7 ton and the aircraft diameter is 29 metres.
Bristow’s have confirmed that they will not use the heliport until there is alleviation in the current specifications.
This has been provided in the past where the S92 replaced the Sea King flying into helidecks on offshore facilities. This was achieved by using a consultant, Consultavia to carry out the risk assessment. This risk assessment has been accepted by the Health and Safety Executive for the use helidecks aboard offshore installations.
This overall scenario was put to the Civil Aviation Authority are currently reviewing hospital heliports. The relevant document is CAP 1264 (Civil Aviation Publication on Air Ambulance Operations) which states
“the safety of helicopter operations is clearly paramount to any design for an HLS at a hospital and there can be no alleviations from the regulations due to the emergency nature of an operation”.
Communication has been followed through with both Bristow’s and the CAA but as yet there has been no positive developments as such in moving matters forward. There have also been meetings with Newcastle International Airport from whom we contract the RVI heliport safety. Richard Knight, Operations Director at Newcastle International Airport has taken up the case with Bristow’s but we are still awaiting a response to be in a position where we can confirm that the Sikorsky will land at the RVI sometime in the future."...........