Four sites named for Ballarat helipad

THE state government is considering building the Ballarat Base Hospital helipad over Mair Street, as a structure similar to the one that exists at Melbourne’s The Alfred hospital.Health Minister David Davis yesterday published online a report of the findings of the Ballarat Helipad Implementation Working Group.The report detailed the four options that have been shortlisted from a list of 10 sites that were presented to the working group earlier this year, but not made public. The four options include a site at the Ballarat Base Hospital car park North on a deck or similar structure; over Mair Street; on top of the hospital’s Bolte Wing or over the hospital’s West Wing.The Department of Health plans to investigate in detail each of the four options, according to the report.Which is the best option? Vote in our poll or have your say belowIt is not clear at this stage when a decision will be made.The report states that the working group consulted with a range of stakeholders to determine the best possible helipad sites, including Air Ambulance Victoria representatives, Ballarat Health Services emergency physicians, and architects and urban planners.The sites were then assessed to a criteria that looked at things like the impact of possible flight paths, the time required to transfer patients to and from the emergency department, the ability to transfer patients to the helipad in a way which respected their dignity, and the impact it would have on hospital operations.The report did not say when construction of the facility is likely to begin, nor did it state whether the working group had looked into purchasing a helicopter for the hospital.Follow @jennifergreive