The new base will be on the Amsterdam Heliport site, located on the Hornweg, close to the Hemtunnel. The move, which is planned shortly after the summer, is mainly prompted by the noise nuisance caused by the trauma helicopter for local residents in Buitenveld.

“We have chosen a location that provides optimum nuisance for local residents,” said Mark Kramer, member of the executive board of Amsterdam UMC, of ​​which the VUmc is part. “The implications for the speed with the team at the patient may be.”

24 hours a day ready

Since 1995, the Mobile Medical Team and the trauma helicopter have been stationed on the roof of the VUmc. The team, which is deployed in the event of serious incidents, consists of a doctor, nurse, driver for the car and a pilot. It is available 24 hours a day and is used on average six to seven times.

The helipad on the roof of the hospital will remain because of the trauma center. In principle, patients end up there by ambulance, identity of the doctor of the Mobile Medical Team. After the patient has been transferred to the VUmc, the doctor is picked up by the helicopter, so that the team is complete again with a view to the next call. It is expected that the number of landings at the VUmc will indeed decrease, from 2375.

Construction of the new base in the harbor can now be started. The export completion date at the end of the third quarter of 2022 is dependent on the availability of construction materials and personnel. It cannot be ruled out that this may arise as a result of the corona crisis.

Residential building

The search for alternative locations for the stand started a few years ago, because it is anticipated that plans for housing on the Zuidas would allow a growing number of people to vote for noise nuisance from the trauma helicopter at VUmc.

For the past three years, helicopters have also been allowed to fly at night. “That makes it hell for local residents,” says Mark Kramer. “That’s why it’s good that a solution is now being found.”

Residential construction in the immediate vicinity of the hospital is now prohibited due to security risks. Schiphol had been in the picture for some time as a possible location, but partly because of the extra work that this could lead to objections at the airport for air traffic controllers.