'Life-changing' emergency helipad opens on Scottish island with help of charity

AN emergency helipad which provides “life-changing” medical service has officially opened on a remote Scottish island.

The helipad was opened on Gigha on Tuesday by the HELP Appeal Charity and members of the Corps of Royal Engineers, who collaborated on the project.

Islanders previously relied on a grass “landing strip” which often became waterlogged and muddy, causing delays in transferring patients to lifesaving treatment at a hospital on the mainland.

(Image: Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust) The new helipad on Gigha Airfield means that patients can access specialist treatment at an A&E hospital or major trauma centre much quicker, improving patients’ outcomes.

Gigha is a community-owned island situated on the southernmost of the Hebridean Islands, just three miles west of the Kintyre Peninsula.

The island is about a three-hour drive from Glasgow, followed by a 20-minute ferry ride. Although the ferry service is regular, Gigha remains a remote community which can pose challenges in medical emergencies.

In 2002, the Gigha islanders purchased the island for £4 million under the Community Right to Buy scheme. They now own it through the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust.

(Image: JHP Visuals) The HELP Appeal, the only specialist helipad charity in the UK, donated £245,000 to cover the cost of the materials and lighting for the helipad.

Simon Jones, from the HELP Appeal, commented: “On behalf of the HELP Appeal, we are incredibly proud to have worked alongside the Royal Engineers to make this emergency helipad a reality on Gigha. This marks the first of multiple collaborations together building helipads across the country.

(Image: John Bannatyne) “Now, the islanders and their emergency services will never again face the stress of muddy conditions that once delayed life-saving transfers to the air ambulance.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our donors, and we are truly grateful to them for making this life-changing project a reality.”

Meanwhile, Jane Millar, from the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, said: “This has been a hugely rewarding and important project for the island. It still seems surreal to have this incredible facility now available to the community.

“We are indebted to the HELP Appeal as without their full donation and support; this project would not have proceeded.”

Maggie Wilkieson, a nurse at the Queen’s Nursing Institute, added: “I’ve been involved in transferring patients off Gigha for over 30 years and the difference having the landing pad is just amazing: The comfort, privacy and safety it provides makes such a difference to those unfortunate enough to have to be airlifted off Gigha.

“We’ve tested it out already a couple of times and the difference is incredible, as well as enabling us to provide dignified care.”