Helicopters to finally land on roof of Lapland Central Hospital after a decade

Helicopters will begin landing on the roof of Lapland Central Hospital in Rovaniemi within this month, ending nearly a decade of restrictions due to safety deficiencies.

The hospital’s helipad has remained unused since renovations began in 2019, with helicopters forced to land instead at Rovaniemi Airport more than 10 kilometres away. Patients were then transferred by ambulance, adding delays to emergency care.

Work completed this month includes a new surface coating, adjusted approach paths, and additional emergency stairways. A new fire suppression system is scheduled for installation by October, according to the hospital’s emergency services.

The changes are expected to cut response times by 20 to 30 minutes, improving patient access to urgent treatment. The helipad will also allow more flexible transfers to Oulu University Hospital, officials said.

Lapland’s long-distance helicopter services play a critical role in emergency response and patient transfers across the region.