Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters having to land at alternative, un-surveyed sites instead of community-owned helipads on the safety of (a) patients, (b) aircrew and (c) the public.

The Civil Aviation Authority publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides guidance on standards for hospital helipads. When operating a Search and Rescue mission, the duty captain of the helicopter can land wherever they deem safe; the Coastguard deploys Coastguard Rescue Teams where needed to support the safe landing and take off its aircraft. Ultimately the decision whether to land at any helipad is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator, as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain, who will consider factors including any CAA guidance on safe landing sites that their operator deems relevant.