Given recent misunderstandings about the Laurelhurst Community Council’s (LCC) role in helicopter landings at Seattle Children’s Hospital, LCC is issuing this Statement of Principles and FAQs to provide clarifying facts.
Statement Of Principles
- Laurelhurst residents are proud that Seattle Children’s Hospital is a member of our community, providing outstanding care for children and families when they need it most.
- Laurelhurst residents continue to agree that only medical professionals can and should decide on incoming patients’ landing location needs.
- The Laurelhurst Community Council supports Seattle Children’s Hospital in seeking City of Seattle approval to end the City‑mandated Medical Review Committee for helicopter landings, and looks forward to future collaboration with Seattle Children’s, the City of Seattle and community members.
Frequently Asked Questions about Laurelhurst Community Council and Seattle Children’s Hospital patient transports
1. Does Laurelhurst Community Council have an agreement with SCH about landing its helicopters?
LCC has no agreement or role in helicopter landings at Seattle Children’s (SCH). The helicopter landing agreement is between the City of Seattle and the Hospital. All landings are vetted and directed to land at one of SCH’s helipads by Emergency Department physicians and the medical personnel on the flights.
The LCC’s position is straightforward: every patient who needs to land at the Seattle Children’s helipad should land at the Seattle Children’s helipad.
2. Do community members dictate which helipad an incoming patient uses?
No. All decisions about patient transport and landing locations are made solely by the medical professionals responsible for the flight, as part of their independent medical judgment and duty of care.
3. What type of City permit is needed for a helicopter landing facility in Seattle?
The City of Seattle requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a helicopter landing facility. These permits typically include many requirements to ensure safety of the flights and their personnel and the safety of people who live under the designated flight paths. The current Conditional Use Permit for Seattle Children’s was issued in 1992 by the City of Seattle. Any changes to the Conditional Use Permit must be negotiated between the City of Seattle and Seattle Children’s Hospital. LCC has no role in that process.
4. Who came up with the original helicopter landing criteria?
The City’s Conditional Use Permit explains that Airlift NW, SCH’s primary helicopter service provider, established the landing criteria.
5. What is Laurelhurst Community Council’s role in Seattle Children’s Conditional Use Permit?
There is no active role for LCC in the Conditional Use Permit. The City’s 1992 Permit provides for a Medical Review Committee (MRC) to review compliance with the conditions in the permit. This committee meets twice a year for one hour to review the six‑month landing statistics covering activity from nine to three months prior. The Committee consists of the Director of Seattle-King County Public Health, a representative from Seattle Children’s, two independent physicians, and two community representatives (one selected by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and one selected by the Laurelhurst Community Council). Only the two independent physicians see any detailed patient medical information. This committee looks back at past data. It does not direct where patients land, a decision made solely by medical personnel involved with each patient flight.
6. Are Medical Review Committee members paid for their participation?
No. All participants are volunteers who meet twice year for an hour and receive no compensation.
7. What are the next steps?
The Laurelhurst Community Council has no role in the Conditional Use Permit or governing the Medical Review Committee but has reached out to Seattle Children’s and the City of Seattle to offer support. We will continue to be available as needed and appropriate.