A Vital Part of Healthcare on Mull
Today, the Wilson–Thomson Helipad at Mull and Iona Community Hospital is an accepted part of emergency healthcare on the Isle of Mull. Air ambulances and HM Coastguard helicopters can land directly beside the hospital, allowing critically ill and injured patients to be transferred quickly to specialist care on the mainland. For many island residents and visitors, its presence offers reassurance that advanced medical assistance is never far away.
Although the helipad has now been in operation for more than two years, it represents the culmination of years of planning, fundraising and community effort. It has transformed the way emergency medical transfers are carried out on Mull, removing delays that were once unavoidable and helping patients reach mainland hospitals much more quickly when every minute counts.
Emergency Transfers Before the Helipad
Before the helipad was built, patients requiring urgent air transfer followed a much longer route. After receiving initial treatment at Mull and Iona Community Hospital in Craignure, they were placed in a road ambulance and transported to Glenforsa Airfield before an air ambulance or HM Coastguard helicopter could depart for the mainland.
That additional road journey could take between 15 and 30 minutes depending on traffic and weather conditions. Once at Glenforsa, patients had to be transferred from the ambulance into the aircraft before the flight could begin. For someone suffering a major injury, stroke, heart attack or other life-threatening condition, these extra stages could delay access to specialist treatment.
Healthcare professionals had recognised for many years that a helipad beside the hospital would remove an unnecessary part of the journey, allowing patients to be transferred directly from the hospital to the aircraft with far less handling and considerably less delay.
Turning an Ambition into Reality
The project became possible through the combined efforts of national charities, local organisations and members of the Mull community. Construction began during 2023 after detailed planning and preparation.
The £418,000 construction cost was met entirely by the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the United Kingdom dedicated to funding hospital helipads. Their support allowed the facility to be built without placing additional financial pressure on NHS services.
An equally important contribution came from local landowners Andy and Naomi Knight, who donated the land required for the helipad. The site was then leased to the Mull and Iona Community Trust at no cost, ensuring it could be used for the benefit of the whole community.
The completed facility was named the Wilson–Thomson Helipad in honour of John Wilson and the late Dr Bill Thomson, two men whose dedication and commitment played a significant role in developing healthcare services on Mull and supporting the creation of the community hospital itself.
A Modern Emergency Facility
The helipad entered operational service in March 2024 and quickly became part of everyday emergency response arrangements for the island. It is designed to accommodate helicopters operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and HM Coastguard, allowing them to land directly beside the hospital at any time of the day or night.
Modern aviation lighting and carefully maintained safety systems ensure the facility can remain operational throughout the year, even during the challenging weather conditions often experienced on Scotland’s west coast.
One of its earliest emergency missions demonstrated the difference the helipad could make. A critically ill patient was transferred directly from Mull and Iona Community Hospital to the Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban, with the helicopter flight taking only a few minutes. By eliminating the additional ambulance journey to Glenforsa, valuable time was saved and the patient reached specialist care much sooner.
Owned by the Community
Although situated beside an NHS hospital, the helipad is owned and managed by the Mull and Iona Community Trust on behalf of the community.
The trust is responsible for maintaining the landing surface, aviation lighting, insurance, winter de-icing and routine inspections needed to keep the facility available for emergency use throughout the year. A dedicated team of local volunteers carries out daily safety checks, ensuring helicopters can operate safely whenever they are needed.
This community involvement reflects the same determination that helped make the project possible in the first place. Rather than simply handing responsibility to others, local people continue to play an active role in maintaining an important piece of Mull’s emergency infrastructure.
Supporting the Helipad’s Future
While the construction costs were covered by the HELP Appeal, the ongoing costs of maintaining and operating the helipad continue each year. Insurance, inspections, lighting maintenance and routine upkeep all require funding to ensure the facility remains available whenever an emergency arises.
To help meet these costs, the Mull and Iona Community Trust continues to raise funds through a dedicated JustGiving campaign. Donations help safeguard the long-term future of the helipad and ensure it remains fully operational for residents and visitors alike.
Anyone wishing to support the appeal can do so by visiting the Mull Helipad JustGiving fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mullhelipad.
The Difference It Has Made
Since entering service, the Wilson–Thomson Helipad has become an invaluable part of emergency healthcare on Mull. By allowing helicopters to land directly beside the hospital, patients avoid the additional road transfer to Glenforsa Airfield, reducing delays at the most critical stage of an emergency.
The shorter transfer process also means patients experience less movement, something particularly important for those with serious injuries or suspected spinal trauma. Medical teams are able to begin flights sooner, while specialist staff can reach the island more efficiently when required.
Although helicopter transfers remain relatively infrequent compared with everyday hospital care, every mission has the potential to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. The helipad has strengthened emergency response across Mull and Iona and provides a level of resilience that simply did not exist previously.
A Lasting Legacy for Mull
The Wilson–Thomson Helipad stands as an excellent example of what can be achieved when charities, volunteers, healthcare professionals and the local community work towards a shared goal. From years of planning through to construction and ongoing maintenance, the project has been shaped by people determined to improve emergency healthcare for future generations.
Today, many people visiting the hospital may think little of the concrete landing pad behind the building, yet it represents one of the most important healthcare investments ever made on Mull. Whether serving local residents or the thousands of visitors who travel to the island each year, the helipad continues to provide faster access to specialist treatment when it is needed most, ensuring that this community-led project will remain a lasting benefit to Mull for many years to come.
