A new helipad on the grounds of the Mater Hospital will be vital to the transfer of critically-ill patients around the country, a doctor's said.
It's been used for the first time in an exercise earlier today.
An army Air Corps helicopter brought a simulated patient to the city centre landing ground to practice a transfer to A&E.
It's situated just 10 meters from the emergency department.
It's the first time the helipad has been used since planning permission was granted three years ago.
Dr Gerard O'Connor, Emergency Consultant at the hospital, describes how important that is for patients.
"It means that when the helicopter lands, that patient is greeted immediately by our medical and nursing team," he said.
"They receive critical care in our emergency department and in our trauma unit immediately, so that care can commence pretty much when the aircraft touches down," he added.
