A new helipad at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital has been put to the test before it becomes operational.

For the first time the hospital will have a rooftop helipad allowing for helicopters to perform medical transfers and retrievals, instead of landing in nearby James Park.

The helipad has been built as part of the redevelopment of the hospital and sits above the new Clinical Services Building, which is due to open mid-year.

Transition Redevelopment Manager Adrienne Stern said the number of helicopter landings is not expected to be any more than currently lands in the oval, which is about eight a year.

“Both day and night landing and take-off testing took place with the Avipro consultant and Toll pilots very complimentary of the planning, consultation, design, function and quality of the hospital’s helipad,” Adrienne said.