For the past six months the Air Ambulance has only been able to use the elevated landing site for about half of patient flights to and from BHS.

While the helipad has been in operation since June 2015, the issue arose only recently after the removal of trees along Anticline Lane, which runs alongside the hospital carpark on top of which the helipad sits.

Since the removal of the trees, which protected fences and property along the narrow lane, the "rotor wash" or downdraft generated on landing and take-off has caused damage and prompted complaints from neighbours.

The impact is greatest when there is a northerly or southerly wind blowing.

Now, when the weather conditions do not favour landing on the helipad, the Air Ambulance lands at either Ballarat Airfield or the school bus exchange outside the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club at Delacombe with patients transported by road ambulance to or from the helicopter.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said while the situation was not ideal, there was no adverse impact on patient care.

In a statement, Ballarat Health Services said it was alerted of the imminent arrival of a patient by Air Ambulance and Air Ambulance Victoria made the decision as to where they take a patient.

"Our understanding is that AV may choose to bypass Ballarat Health Services for a range of reason with the decisions based on the acuity of the patient," they said.

"Wind conditions can affect patient arrival via the helipad, but we are not alerted by Ambulance Victoria as to when they are going to bypass for this reason

"There are backup options for patient arrival to Ballarat Health Services including alternative landing options, and road transfer, but again this is dependent upon patient acuity."

Victorian Ambulance Union general secretary Danny Hill said he was aware of concerns raised by locals about the flight path and rotor wash of the Air Ambulance flying in and out of the helipad.

"Something really needs to be done to sort it out," he said. "It's important that patients can be taken in to that location and out of that location if needed," he said.

"Having a suitable and safe location at Ballarat Health Services is incredibly important to get timely transport to specialist hospitals."

On average there are about four patient transfers via the Air Ambulance to and from Ballarat Health Services each month.

Wayne Rigg, who campaigned for several years for the building of the helipad, said the situation was "concerning and unacceptable".

"It means that patients under those wind conditions are going back to the old days of the oval, greyhound track or airport which is counterproductive in trying to make sure people get the highest level of care possible," he said.

"We look forward to hearing what the solution will be between the parties."

Plans for the hospital helipad were unveiled in August 2013, and it was officially opened almost two years later on June 17, 2015, by then Health and Ambulance Services minister Jill Hennessy as part of a $46.4 million expansion of Ballarat Health Services which included the helipad and multi-deck car park.

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The helipad features a 25-metre diameter concrete landing surface, as well as a further 1.5 metre safety net to meet international standards.

In its first year of operation, 32 patients were flown from the helipad to Melbourne, and 13 patients were flown in from across the region to Ballarat.

At the time of its launch, it was said the hospital helipad was a vital instrument to help meet the increasing demand for air ambulance transfers in Ballarat and across Western Victoria, and would cut an hour off the transport time to Melbourne specialist hospitals and ensure faster treatment for patients flown from other parts of western Victoria to Ballarat for urgent treatment.

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