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University Hospital of Wales denied 24 hour helipad | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Wales' biggest hospital will not have a 24 hour flying doctor service, it has been confirmed. | |
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will not allow the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff to operate the helicopter at night because of where the helipad is. | |
It comes as more landing sites have been identified to be used round-the-clock in Wales from April. | |
UHW said it was working with the CAA to upgrade the helipad. | |
Currently, only three hospital sites support 24-hour landings, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, and Bangor's Ysbyty Gwynedd as well as Morriston Hospital in Swansea. | |
A total of £180,000 is being spent to make more available for night landings. | A total of £180,000 is being spent to make more available for night landings. |
In all, 27 further areas around Wales are being surveyed to act as rendezvous points for road vehicles. | In all, 27 further areas around Wales are being surveyed to act as rendezvous points for road vehicles. |
The night-time landing sites will rely on rural volunteers or hospital response teams to deploy temporary landing lights and windsocks when alerted to the arrival of an aircraft. | The night-time landing sites will rely on rural volunteers or hospital response teams to deploy temporary landing lights and windsocks when alerted to the arrival of an aircraft. |
New 24-hour landing sites | New 24-hour landing sites |
From April, Wales Air Ambulance crews will be joined by consultant doctors who will give immediate treatment for trauma injuries, strokes and heart attacks. | |
Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething said the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service Cymru (EMRTS Cymru) will benefit the critically ill. | |
Regarding UHW, a CAA spokesman said: "On reviewing the location of the helipad we were not satisfied that night operations could be carried out safely due to a number of obstructions in the area." | |