NEW HELIPAD LAUNCHED AT THE MATER HOSPITAL

A new helipad with a built-in fire fighting system will be used to transfer up to 250 newborns and children in need of medical treatment over the next 12 months, Premier Anna Bligh said.

Ms Bligh joined Health Minister Stephen Robertson today to officially launch the Mater Adults Hospital helipad - funded through a $9.2 million State Government grant to the Mater.

“This new helipad is another important milestone in the Mater Hospitals’ massive redevelopment,” Ms Bligh said.

“It replaces the previous helipad and is much safer and better equipped to accommodate advances in modern aero-medical retrievals.

“Pregnant women and children who require transfer to a larger tertiary hospital such as the Mater for treatment will benefit the most from this new helipad.

“In fact, the majority of the Mater’s air transfers are for the Mother’s Hospital.

“Over the next 12 months, between 200 and 250 newborns and children are expected to be airlifted into and out of the complex.

“This will bring the Mater back to full strength following a period during refurbishment when transfers were suspended due to construction and safety.”

Mr Robertson said the helipad was the first of its kind in Australia, incorporating a unique design and construction system used throughout the world in dangerous areas such as off shore drilling platforms.

“It carries a Class 1 rating, the highest level of safety and operations measured by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and has a built-in fire fighting system in the unlikely event of an accident.

“It is only a third of the weight of other landing structures and is virtually maintenance free.”

Mr Robertson said the $9.2 million pad formed part of the State Government’s commitment to the Mater Hospitals redevelopment and to forging strong and durable partnerships with the private sector for better health services and infrastructure.

“We are working closely with the Mater Hospital Board on the construction of the Mother’s Hospital and the refurbishment of the Adults’,” he said.

“In all, we have committed more than $127 million in capital funding towards the redevelopment in addition to $300 million in recurrent funding for public services at the Mater.”

Mr Robertson said the new Mater Mothers’ Hospital was on track to open in the first half of next year.

Media contact: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500

Ministers Office (07) 3234 1185