ARARAT - Ararat residents are being urged to stay away from the East Grampians Health Service emergency helipad when it is being used by emergency ambulance helicopters.
The call has come in response to concerns for the safety of residents and for the respect and privacy of patients being treated.
Due to the close proximity of the helipad to Basham Street, the area has become a popular place to view the helicopters in action.
East Grampians Health Service, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police, in an open letter to the community in today's edition of the Ararat Advertiser, have urged the community to stay away when the helipad is in use.
It has been observed that at times up to 100 people have been present when a helicopter lands.
Ambulance Victoria Ararat Station manager Ambrose Cashin said it has become a real problem.
''We realise it is exciting to see a helicopter land, but the fact is, people are peering into a chopper when a patient is critically ill,'' he said.
''It's become a privacy issue and we want people to think that if that was one of their loved ones, would they like it?''
Mr Cashin said the number of onlookers has on occasion impaired, and sometimes delayed, the ability of road ambulances to get to the chopper, with cars lining Basham Street.
''We've actually had to deviate around cars parked there to get to the helipad entrance,'' he said.
People have also been observed videoing and photographing the helicopters.
''We realise they are just videoing the helicopter, but they have got to realise that there are people being treated there,'' he said.
''These patients are in a vulnerable position and they are there because they are critically ill.''
East Grampians Health Service CEO Rob Bulmer said the interest in the helicopters was understandable.
''Let's face it, we're all fascinated with helicopters and I suppose if you've got a young family, kids are also very fascinated with helicopters,'' he said.
''The helipad is a wonderful asset for the town and health service, therefore it is understandable that our community would show interest.''
However, Mr Bulmer said this interest was being carried too far when there was a line of cars parked along the road when a retrieval is taking place.
Mr Bulmer said the open letter, signed by station manager of Ambulance Victoria and the officer in charge of Ararat Police, symbolised that the three partners in emergency - the hospital, ambulance and police - are all in agreement that this is now of concern.
With Basham Street a busy roadway, it is not inconceivable that with both drivers and onlookers distracted by the helicopter, that someone may step out in front of a car and be injured.
''The more people and more cars there, the more chance of someone getting hit,'' he said.
Mr Bulmer said safety was one part, but what Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police and the health service are really concerned about is the privacy of patients and their families.
''If you had a loved one who was critically ill and being transported from the accident emergency department, or road ambulance, on a trolley to the chopper, and you've got a loved one looking on who is very, very distressed and you looked up and saw a whole lot of cars and people standing looking, that would be hurtful,'' he said.
''It's not that the community means it, it's not through anything other than a genuine interest in emergency retrieval.
''The helipad is right adjacent to the road. If there was a bit more distance, it might not be such a problem.
''We are asking the community to respect the privacy of people and we want a family not to feel they are the main attraction when at the time it is a great worry to them.
''We trust that once people read this letter and have a think about it - and it's a great community - I'm sure they will respect our wishes.''
Senior Sergeant Matthew Wood said the amount of cars were creating a traffic hazard with drivers not concentrating on the road.
''A lot of people want to watch the helicopter and this combined with pedestrians is creating an issue,'' he said.
''It is also about the dignity of the people who are injured.
''We ask that people think of the people involved and families involved who are experiencing a traumatic and emotional time.''
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