On Friday Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened the newly constructed helipad at Cork University Hospital (CUH), marking a significant milestone in emergency medical services for the region. The helipad, which has recently completed operational testing, is already receiving patients and is set to move to 24-hour operation in the coming weeks.
The event was attended by local politicians, senior Health Service Executive (HSE) and Department of Health officials, as well as pilots and air crews from the HSE Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, the Irish Air Corps, the Irish Coast Guard, the National Ambulance Service, and Cork Fire Service.
Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The opening of this state-of-the-art helipad at CUH is a major step forward for emergency healthcare in Ireland. It will ensure that critically ill patients can receive life-saving care as quickly as possible, significantly improving outcomes for those in need of urgent medical attention. I commend everyone involved in delivering this vital project”
The helipad will be directly connected to the hospital via a covered link bridge, set to be installed in the next three to six months. In the interim, an ambulance will transport patients between the helipad and the emergency department or other specialist units on campus. The facility will support emergency cases across all critical care pathways, including paediatrics, stroke, heart attack, maternity, major trauma, and intensive care transfers.
Deirdre O’Keeffe, Interim CEO of CUH, highlighted the importance of the new infrastructure: “Having a dedicated helipad on the hospital campus is a game-changer for emergency medical services in the region. Patients can now reach life-saving care within 10 minutes of landing, dramatically reducing the transfer times that were previously necessary when helicopters had to land at local GAA grounds or Cork Airport.”
Dr Andy Phillips, HSE South West said: “The ability to transfer patients by helicopter to CUH as a major trauma centre will save patient lives.”
As Ireland’s only Model 4 specialist hospital, CUH provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for all age groups, with every specialty co-located on one campus. Ongoing testing of the new helipad is ensuring that all safety protocols are met, including helicopter approach procedures, landing safety measures, and patient transfers to the Emergency Department.
Main photo above: Chris Keating, Chief Pilot; CUHG Acting CEO, Deirdre O’Keeffe; Taoiseach Micheal Martin; Prof Aidan Murphy, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Paul Traynor, Advanced Paramedic with the National Ambulance Servicer pictured at the official opening of CUH’s new helipad at Cork University Hospital. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
