Helipad named after paramedic Robert Black who died from Covid opens in Campbeltown
The Robert Black Memorial Helipad will speed up the transfer of patients to and from the adjacent Campbeltown Hospital by replacing a waterlogged field or flights to the town’ airport five miles away.
Mr Black had championed the project after seeing ambulances becoming stuck and having to be towed out of the mud.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdScottish Ambulance Service emergency medical technician Stuart McLellan said: “What an incredibly moving day.
"I managed to catch a glimpse of the first helicopter landing via live stream online. Thank you!
"I’m delighted the helipad will have such an impact on people’s lives, from my colleagues on the air ambulance to patients.”
Mr Black, 52, was a paramedic who had worked for the Scottish Ambulance Service for 28 years.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe died last May with Covid-19 and was described as “an absolute gem of a man”.
The £270,000 project was funded by HELP Appeal (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads).
It said Campbeltown Hospital often had to send patients to other hospitals for specialist treatment, but ambulances had to use the town’s airport in bad weather, which increased patient transfer times and could be life threatening for the critically ill.
Chief executive Robert Bertram said: “We’ve got hospitals and helicopters but we also need helipads beside emergency departments as they are absolutely vital in helping to transfer critically-ill patients to the specialist care they urgently need in the quickest time possible.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Thanks to the recognition of their importance in Campbeltown, the hospital will now have a state-of-the-art helipad, which will save time and save many lives.”
Loganair, which has converted aircraft for use as air ambulances during the pandemic, saluted the achievement.
Chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: “It’s a brilliant achievement, and one which will make a real difference in the most difficult circumstances for decades to come.”
HELP Appeal has funded or is funding 12 helipads in Scotland among 42 across the UK, including at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and on Barra, Arran and Mull.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAnother is being built at Applecross in memory of an 18-year-old flu victim.
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.