Dual helipad scheme takes shape at Ysbyty Gwynedd
New dual helipad at Ysbyty Gwynedd aims to speed emergency air transport for north‑west Wales patients, amid ongoing department challenges.
A dual helipad scheme described as the first of its kind in the country is now taking shape at Ysbyty Gwynedd, promising faster air‑ambulance access for critically ill patients in north‑west Wales.
The new facility will sit alongside an upgraded existing helipad, creating a second landing site that can handle simultaneous arrivals and departures, a capability previously unavailable in the region.
Welsh Government Minister Siân Gwenllian, MS for Gwynedd Maldwyn, visited the emergency department this week to inspect progress and discuss ongoing pressures on the service.
During the tour she met Dr Rob Perry, vice‑president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Wales, Sian Gruffydd, directorate general manager for emergency care at BCUHB, and Dr Pete Williams, clinical lead for the department.
Ms Gwenllian said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the Emergency Department at Ysbyty Gwynedd and to meet the staff who work incredibly hard to provide care to patients every single day.”
She added that she was “very aware of some of the significant challenges facing the department, including concerns around the lack of continuous flow and the resulting treatment of patients in inappropriate non‑clinical settings, more commonly known as ‘corridor care.’”
“These are serious concerns, and I have personal experience lately,” the minister continued, before pledging to raise the issues directly with the health board.
Ms Gwenllian also praised the dedication of staff working under pressure, noting: “But I also want to take this opportunity to recognise the fantastic job that staff are doing in very difficult circumstances.”
“Care is clearly at the centre of everything they do, and it was obvious that there is a real sense of teamwork across the department,” she observed.
She highlighted the contribution of all roles, saying: “From the cleaning staff and porters to the clinical teams, everyone I met took great pride in their work and in providing the best possible care for patients.”
The minister’s visit coincided with the hospital’s recent achievement of Bronze accreditation under the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s GreenED programme, recognising efforts to cut the department’s environmental impact.
Ysbyty Gwynedd, the nearest acute hospital for many of Ms Gwenllian’s constituents, underwent a multi‑million‑pound redevelopment of its emergency department in 2019, a project the minister attended at its opening.
Construction of the second helipad is now well underway, with concrete foundations laid and the layout finalised to accommodate the larger Airbus H145 air‑ambulance fleet.
Officials say the dual‑helipad design will reduce turnaround times, allowing one aircraft to land while another prepares for departure, a critical improvement for time‑sensitive trauma cases.
Dr Rob Perry welcomed the development, noting that rapid aerial transfer can be the difference between life and death for patients requiring specialist care in Cardiff or Liverpool.
He stressed that the new site will also support training exercises for emergency crews, enhancing coordination between ground and air teams.
Sian Gruffydd highlighted the logistical benefits, explaining that the additional landing area will free up space on the existing pad, reducing bottlenecks during peak periods.
Dr Pete Williams said the department is already seeing a reduction in patients being treated in corridors, thanks to the recent re‑organisation of triage areas.
“The new helipad will further alleviate pressure by ensuring that the most critical cases can be transferred swiftly, freeing up beds for other urgent admissions,” he added.
Local residents have welcomed the project, with community groups noting that faster access to specialist care could improve outcomes for rural accidents and cardiac emergencies.
Health board officials anticipate the dual‑helipad system to be fully operational by early 2025, subject to final safety certifications.
When asked about the timeline, Ms Gwenllian said: “It was also good to see the significant improvements to the existing helipad and the construction of a second helipad, which will play an important role in ensuring critically ill and injured patients can reach emergency care as quickly as possible.”
She concluded by thanking staff: “I would like to thank the whole department once again for the fantastic welcome and, most importantly, for the heroic work they continue to do every day.”