Medical Helipad Project

"Time is the enemy in Trauma care."

Robert Mackersie, MD, FACS San Francisco General Hospital Trauma Director  

San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) is the only Level I Trauma Center serving 1.5 million people in San Francisco and Northern San Mateo Counties.  The primary benefit of a helipad at San Francisco General Hospital is contingency assurance of access to life-saving care for the few or many, who may need it in a variety of unusual, but increasingly likely, incidents.  According to the November 2001, American College of Surgeons Consultation Survey of San Francisco General Hospital's Trauma Program:

"The lack of a helipad and helicopter service is a major deficiency in providing optimal trauma care for San Francisco General Hospital and San Francisco.   It is difficult to understand why a city the size of San Francisco does not have any medical air transport.  The congested roads and bridges with the surrounding water make helicopter service an essential medical support service."