More Major Trauma Centres receive funding for life-saving helipads
Thursday, 21 November, 2013
HELP Appeal grants support the development of hospital helipads across England
In the midst of the current problems with the NHS, there is some good news as the HELP (Helicopter and Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal announces the completion, development and ongoing success of a number of life-saving hospital helipads across England.
The charity, which was set up by the County Air Ambulance Trust and relies solely on public donations, provides grants to NHS Hospitals across England to fund the development of life-saving helipads, providing direct access to A&E departments and thus significantly reducing patient transfer times.
In the South, the HELP Appeal’s second completed project at Southampton General Hospital, has just celebrated its second anniversary. The helipad, which received a £700k grant from the HELP Appeal, has received an average landing of one per day since opening in November 2011.
A new helipad at St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight, was officially opened by The Duke of Kent in November, with a grant of 250K from the HELP Appeal. The new facility also allows patients with life-threatening trauma injuries to be flown from the Isle of Wight to Southampton General Hospital as quickly as possible.
Work is well underway on a 25m x 25m helipad on the roof of the St James’ Ward at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, South West London, following the assembly of the UK’s biggest crane on site. With the support of a £1million donation from the HELP Appeal, the helipad will be the second in London and the first south of the river, significantly reducing transfer times to the hospital’s Major Trauma Centre. The helipad is due to be open early next year.
The Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) celebrated completion of a new helipad, with a £500K Grant from the HELP Appeal. The helipad, which becomes operational in the New Year, will form part of a redevelopment programme at the hospital involving the centralisation of specialist paediatric services at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRCH). Airlifted patients from all over the south west requiring the services of either hospital will benefit from the helipad, which will prevent the need for secondary road transfers, dramatically reducing the time it takes to access the emergency treatments required.
Robert Bertram, chief executive at County Air Ambulance Trust, commented: “Our research has revealed that many Major Trauma Centres and key A&E hospitals would benefit from a safe on-site helipad facility. When a critical injury or accident takes place, every second is vital in getting the patient to the often life-saving treatment they require. With a helipad on-site, which has direct access to the hospital’s A&E department, transfer times are significantly reduced saving lives that could be lost through secondary road transfers. “
Plans for 2014, in addition to completions in London and Bristol, are progressing for new helipads at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool and Hull Royal Infirmary.
Robert Bertram continues: “Out of the 20 Adult Major Trauma Centres in England, almost every single one will have a helipad by the end of next year. “
For further information on the HELP Appeal, visit: www.helpappeal.co.uk
