Helipad upgrade in store for Basildon Hospital
Plans for the upgrade have been given the green light
Plans to upgrade the helipad at Basildon Hospital have received approval, aiming to provide improved service for heart patients arriving by air ambulance.
Basildon Hospital, an important facility for cardiac care in Essex, is set to enhance its capabilities by upgrading its helipad.
This change is crucial as the hospital is the second busiest facility served by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.
The helipad will be equipped with modern lighting, enabling safer landings and extended operational hours.
This enhancement will allow air operations to continue until 8pm, improving access during darker winter months.
The upgrades will make the helipad Civil Aviation Authority compliant and improve services for both air and ground crews.
Scott McIlwaine from Essex & Herts Air Ambulance said: "We are delighted at this news as Basildon Hospital plays a vital role in supporting Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, particularly as the region's major cardiothoracic centre. Cardiac arrest cases account for a significant proportion of our missions.
“The planned helipad improvements will make landings safer for our crews and help us get patients to Basildon more quickly, including later in the afternoon and evening
during winter when fading light can otherwise prevent flights. This is an important step in ensuring we can continue getting the region's sickest patients to the specialist hospital care they need, whenever they need us."
The project, funded by the HELP Appeal charity, aims to replace the current unlit helipad with a safer, night-flight capable site.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal said: "After three years since the HELP Appeal agreed to fully fund a new helipad, we are pleased that it will now soon be built and will help to save many lives over the coming years."
The exact start date for the construction is yet to be confirmed, but completion is anticipated to take around six months once started.
Maimuna Mushabe, Chief Executive for Basildon Hospital, said: "This upgrade will make the area safer, Civil Aviation Authority compliant and will mean a smoother service for heart patients who need to come to the world-renowned Essex Cardiothoracic Centre by air ambulance. It's already being used by these patients, so the changes will help improve that service for patients, air and ground crews alike.”