In brief

• The helipad at the Voivodeship Hospital in Bielsko-Biała, used by the Aerial Medical Rescue service, has been modernised.
• It can now handle aircraft up to 6 tonnes, including military helicopters.
• The investment cost more than PLN 1.4 million and started in May.

Upgraded helipad now open

The Voivodeship Hospital in Bielsko-Biała has finished modernising the helipad serving the Aerial Medical Rescue service (Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe, LPR) at its Emergency Department (Lądowisko przy Szpitalu Wojewódzkim gotowe. Od teraz mogą tu lądować śmigłowce wojskowe – beskidzka24.pl). The works began in May and have now been completed.

Heavier aircraft can now land

The site can now accept larger and heavier aircraft. The upgraded pad can handle machines weighing up to 6 tonnes. Hospital officials say this will make it easier to operate LPR helicopters and also allows military helicopters to land there, a possibility that had been announced during preparations for the investment.

Scope of the investment

The project covered rebuilding the landing surface and the access road used by ambulances. The lighting was also replaced. The total cost exceeded PLN 1.4 million.

Background

The helipad has operated at the hospital since 2004. After more than two decades, its infrastructure needed adjustment to current standards and to the growing demands of emergency medical transport.

Why it matters

Hospital management says the improvements will speed up transfers of patients who need urgent care and make helicopter operations safer (Lądowisko dla śmigłowców LPR w Bielsku-Białej już gotowe. Szpital zakończył modernizację – mamnewsa.pl). Officials say the upgrade gives the site new operational capabilities.