FAQs | Construction Update | Helipad | ED Expansion | Radiation Oncology Bunkers | Future | Contacts
Helipad FAQs
> When will the new state-of-the-art PAH helipad be completed?
The permanent PAH helipad will be completed in late 2009.
> Where will the new PAH helipad be located?
The helipad will be constructed on the south-east corner of the roof of the main PA Hospital building, with a special express lift to the emergency department.
> Why did the previous helipad close?
Construction adjacent to the PAH helipad has meant that construction cranes restrict flight paths for helicopters accessing the PAH helipad.
> What is currently being constructed adjacent to the previous helipad?
The University of Queensland Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE) building is preparing for construction of its new research facility.
> On average, how many helicopters does PAH usually receive per week?
PAH receives an average of four to five patients by helicopter transfer per week.
> What role does the Statewide Clinical Co-ordination Services play?
The Statewide Clinical Co-ordination Service (SCCS) manages Emergency Services and hospitals in relation to:
> What is the priority in co-ordination with helicopter transfers?
Patient safety is the top priority in all referrals to PAH. PAH will be working closely with all management services to ensure the best outcome for the patient and the transfer services.
> Where are helicopter retrievals flown while the PAH helipad is under construction?
Helicopters will be directed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital for delivery of major trauma patients through the Statewide Clinical Co-ordination Service. Some choppers will be directed to Mater or Archerfield Airport for patients who are to be transferred by road by ambulance to PAH. This process worked well when the Mater helipad was under construction.
> How will the patient trauma load be shared?
The Statewide Clinical Co-ordination Service will manage delivery of helicopter retrievals to any of the metropolitan tertiary facilities while ensuring that a similar number of major trauma patients retrieved by road are preferentially directed to PAH to balance the clinical workload.
> Will spinal injury and brain injury patients still be transferred to PAH for specialist treatment in the specialist rehabilitaiton units?
Spinal injury and brain injury patients will be transferred to PAH for rehabilitation when they are stable or if their condition allows for delivery by ambulance.
> Why does the previous helipad have to be replaced over a temporary closure?
The planned construction of a new Translational Research Institute on PAH campus, which will commence in 2009, requires the permanent closure of the previous helipad, because the Institute will be built over the previous helipad site.
Furthermore, patient safety and aviation rules are key priorities. An aviation engineer and Queensland rescue pilots recommended its closure to ensure ongoing safety. Pilots were concerned the old helipad was too close to buildings and access was further limited by construction cranes. The aviation engineer (contracted by PAH) confirmed the need for the helipad to be relocated.
Even after the construction cranes are removed, the new buildings being constructed in the area will limit access to the PAH Helipad and would make it unusable in some weather.
Emergency Department FAQs
> Why does the PAH emergency department need to expand?
Metro South District (of which PA Hospital is part) is the most populous health district in the Queensland, with an estimated 948,577 residents - 23 per cent of the state's total in 2006, and projected population growth of 18 per cent by 2016.1
The PAH area, including referrals from regional centres, comprises the greatest proportion of this population density, making health and emergency service expansion necessary to meet the population demand.
An independent review confirmed the need to redevelop PAH's emergency department to improve patient safety, improve patient flows and address clinical staff needs.
PAH has a strong focus on trauma referral and these services will increase in line with Queensland Health's trauma plan.
> When will construction begin on the emergency department expansion?
The PAH's new emergency department has already been designed and construction is due to begin in December 2008, starting with the helipad.
> How will service capacity increase within the expansion?
PAH's new emergency department is being designed to enable treatment of up to 50,000 patients a year, up from an average of 45,000.
The new PAH emergency department will feature improved acute trauma facilities that will care for patients from all over South East Queensland.
The new emergency department will provide an additional 30-bed Medical Assessment and Planning Unit. This will give patients better access to the hospital and see those patients treated and well enough to go home in less than 48 hours.
There will also be a new fast-track area that will reduce patient waiting times and a new emergency discharge area.
> How large is the planned expansion?
There will be more than 4,100 square metres of brand new construction and more than 800 square metres of existing facilities upgraded.
> What are the benefits of the expansion for the community?
The new emergency department will help move patients safely and efficiently to get the particular hospital care they need. More assessment and treatment areas mean that more patients can be seen with efficiency. Patients will be streamed through to the clinical area that their condition requires.
> What are the benefits of the expansion for PAH staff?
The improved facilities will reduce overcrowding in the Emergency Department and allow staff to better manage patients.
Experience in other facilities shows that these kinds of facility improvements can contribute to improved staff satisfaction, reduced stress and improved staff retention.
The end result of happier staff is better patient care.
> What impacts will occur during construction?
There will be construction noise throughout the building phase which will affect nearby residents. The construction company will restrict noise to the allowed times for the comfort of local residents. Where elements of construction are required to occur in the early hours of the morning to reduce impact on traffic requirements, residents and business in the direct proximity will be notified ahead of time by PAH through a variety of communication channels.
PAH's emergency department will be business as usual during construction.
> What impacts will change from the current arrangement?
R edeveloping the current Emergency service will not substantially change the nature of what is provided but will improve the capacity of the service.
Entrances to the PAH campus will temporarily change during construction, to maintain safety around the worksite.
When completed, the expanded emergency department will have new ambulance and public entrances, with improved signage and visibility.
Sources
1 Department of Infrastructure & Planning, October 2008
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