Merthyr hospital helipad upgrade off the ground

19 November 2016, 11:57 | Updated: 19 November 2016, 11:58

The Health Secretary has announced funding for a new 24 hour helipad at the Prince Charles hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

The current helipad isn't suitable for night flights, which means the air ambulance can only land at the site during the day.

The Welsh Government is putting almost £700,000 towards an upgrade which should be up and running by March 2017.

Ruth Treharne, Director of Planning and Performance at Cwm Taf University Health Board said: "We are delighted that our capital funding bid for a new helipad at Prince Charles Hospital has been given the go-ahead. 

"The helipad, which will be situated next to our state-of-the-art Emergency Care Centre, will allow us to receive and treat more critically ill patients 24 hours a day."

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said: “This significant capital funding from the Welsh Government will help ensure those critically ill patients who need care as fast as possible, by air, day or night, can get that care. 

“This is all part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a modern and effective health service that the people of Wales deserve.”