Helicopters carrying patients are unable to land at a major Tasmanian hospital because the building's helipad does not comply with the latest national aviation regulator requirements.
The health department on Thursday revealed the helicopter landing site at the Launceston General Hospital had been "temporarily relocated" since January 1.
Helicopters transporting patients to and from the hospital must instead land at the Launceston Airport, some 13km away.
Deputy secretary of infrastructure at the health department, Shane Gregory, said new Civil Aviation Safety Authority rules had imposed tighter requirements on helipads used for medical transport.
The hospital's helipad does not comply with requirements due to its size, location and lighting, he said.
Ambulance Tasmania is assessing the viability of an alternate landing site close to the hospital and is receiving advice on temporary helipad locations for the short and long term.
Mr Gregory said the airport has a critical care and retrieval fixed-wing base, meaning it can be utilised as an effective alternative.
He said the hospital's helicopter service was still available for people needing urgent transport.
"Importantly there is a freeway corridor which covers most of the route between the airport and the (hospital), providing fast and efficient transfer," he said.
Plans to upgrade the helipad were already being progressed as part of hospital redevelopments.
The department of health says the helipad is a "critical resource" for pre-hospital care and the emergency transportation of patients and is used roughly 30 times per year.
