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AAP
AAP
Health
Tara Cosoleto

Helipad still months away for major regional hospital

A new helipad is expected to be built at Launceston General Hospital by year's end. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

It will be months before helicopters can once again land at a major Tasmanian hospital.

Launceston General Hospital's helipad was relocated on January 1 because it no longer complied with the latest national aviation regulator requirements.

Helicopters transporting patients to and from the hospital are instead landing at Launceston Airport, some 13 kilometres away.

The Tasmanian government on Friday confirmed a new helipad will be built on the roof of the hospital's Cleveland Street multi-storey car park.

It is expected to be in operation by the end of the year, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

"We have found a safe and efficient long-term solution," he said in a statement on Friday.

"The new rooftop location will allow for the construction of a new state-of-the-art, contemporary helipad that provides efficient patient transfer to the emergency department, ICU and theatres."

The Department of Health will work with Ambulance Tasmania, the hospital's clinical staff and helicopter operator Rotor-lift to progress the helipad's design, regulatory and planning approvals.

Ambulance Tasmania will continue using Launceston Airport as the landing site while the new helipad is built.

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