Helipad reopens at Maidstone Hospital following upgrade
The improved helipad will support the rapid transfer of critically ill patients being taken to Maidstone Hospital for care or flown from the hospital to specialist treatment at major trauma centres
A helipad at Maidstone Hospital has reopened following improvement and upgrade work.
The improved helipad will continue to support the rapid transfer of critically ill patients being taken to Maidstone Hospital for care or flown from the hospital to specialist treatment at major trauma centres.
The pad also provides the air ambulance with a safe 24/7 landing site when the crew are called to attend an emergency in the community, allowing ambulance teams to meet the helicopter and transfer quickly and safely even after dark.
Enhancements to the helipad include the installation of new lights to enable landings at night, upgraded safety measures such as fencing and barriers, and a highly visible bright green finish to meet national compliance standards.
The upgrade was made possible thanks to the HELP Appeal which raised over £170,000 from the country’s only charity dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal commented: "We’re proud to have funded these essential upgrades at Maidstone Hospital.
"Every second counts in a medical emergency and having a modern, safe and fully operational helipad can make a lifesaving difference."
Miles Scott, Chief Executive at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to HELP Appeal for their generous donation which has allowed us to install fantastic improvements to our helipad.
"Working in partnership with other agencies is crucial to ensure our patients receive the best possible care, and offering a landing pad for urgent care allows us to do that.”