For more than 30 years, Seattle Children’s Hospital has abided by a voluntary agreement with the Laurelhurst Community Council (LCC) and the city to restrict which medevac helicopter flights carrying sick children can land directly at the hospital to the most serious cases.
A Reddit post last week brought this long-standing agreement to the public’s attention. A Stranger report this week showcased how, starting during the pandemic, the LCC had attempted to further reduce flights due to the noise and personal disruption it caused them.
On Friday, the day before a planned protest in the neighborhood, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Laurelhurst Community Council released a joint statement saying “the Laurelhurst Community Council (LCC) has agreed to fully support Seattle Children’s as it seeks city approval to end the Medical Review Committee for helicopter landings.” In a statement, a spokesperson with Seattle Children’s said this would end oversight of helicopter activity.
Likely, that process will start by going through the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). The Stranger has reached out to SDCI for more information.
Huh, what a bit of public attention can do. The jury is still out on the strict no-parking policy for hospital workers in the Laurelhurst neighborhood, which has created a culture of car pooling and shuttle-busing.
“I am grateful that there is a path forward to prioritize the needs of critically ill and acutely injured children,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson in the statement. “This is the kind of solutions-focused partnership our city needs more of.”
You can pack up your pitchforks for now.
