I REFER to the letter headlined, 'Utilise other landing site', which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on January 2, regarding the use of the helicopter pad at the Pamela Youde Eastern Hospital, as an alternative to the British Military Hospital.
Your reader is correct in his statement that the Pamela Youde Hospital has a 24-hour emergency capability, as well as a roof-top helicopter landing pad, however he should be aware of the limitations of using that particular landing pad.
The landing pad itself, due to further local building development since initial construction, is now in a location which makes it very difficult for helicopters to approach the pad from anything other than an easterly direction.
Therefore, with anything but an easterly wind, helicopters have a severe problem.
Approaches from other directions necessitate a very steep and slow approach due to the surrounding terrain, wires and other buildings.
This, combined with the fact that the surrounding area is also inadequately lit, makes it very difficult and dangerous for helicopters to use other than by day.