Plans revealed for helicopter site at Hull Royal Infirmary

Plans to demolish three buildings at Hull Royal Infirmary, which have been deemed “no longer fit for purpose”, to make way for a new helicopter landing site have been submitted.The proposal has been drawn up due to the current location of the hospital’s landing pad introducing “unnecessary delays” to the transfer of patients, while it is also considered to be difficult to monitor.The “remote location” of the existing site also means patients must transfer to a waiting ambulance before heading to the hospital, with the application stating that there is a strong “clinical need” for a new landing area.Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has recently invested £11m in creating an extended and improved emergency department at Hull Royal Infirmary.The application states that to best exploit the new facilities, the helicopter landing site should be relocated onto the hospital’s main campus, immediately adjacent to the new building.To make space for the new site, it is proposed that three existing buildings be demolished; The Haughton Building, The Simpson Building and The Occupational Therapy building.The four-storey Haughton Building formed part of the old workforce hospital and is currently used for storage, admin and training.Currently housing the NHS Estates Department, The Simpson Building is located adjacent to the Haughton Building. Meanwhile, the Occupational Therapy Building is situated alongside The Simpson Building.The total gross internal floor area of the three buildings is 48,400 sq ft. A date for Hull City Council to make a decision on the applicationhas not yet been given.