Hunter New England Health rural and regional health director Susan Heyman addressed the Guyra Rotary club on Monday night. But patience is running out in the club to see progress on the hospital helipad, which was not mentioned during the address.
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The club has raised raised around $81,000 towards design and construction costs, with significant contributions from local clubs and community organisations.
Tensions are running high as efforts to see the helipad built hit HNE Health roadblocks over the past four years.
In March, HNE Health chief executive Michael DiRienzo wrote to club president Aileen MacDonald, describing the original cost of $81,000 as a “verbal estimate” that was “not based on a formal quote”.
He wrote the expected cost of the helipad could be up to $400,000.
“The helipad weight limit requirement set by the helicopter manufacturer has increased. In addition, helipads must now meet requirements for new aviation regulations for flight path angles, diameter of the helipad and helicopter pilot activation of lighting,” Mr DiRienzo wrote.
Attempts were made to contact Rotary’s Rod Merritt and HNE Health’s Ms Heyman, but was unsuccessful at the time of going to press.
“Based on this, the helipad would cost significantly more than $81,000.”
According to the letter, the new figure would also include an expected cost of around $40,000 for “detailed design documentation”.
“Unfortunately, HNE Health is not in a position to contribute to the cost of the design documentation,” Mr DiRienzo wrote.
The fundraising effort has collected a $17,000 donation from the Cost Group last year, among several other groups contributing to the total.