Helipad lighting provides 24-hour service for emergency response in Peterborough
Seriously ill or injured patients from across the region will benefit from extended air ambulance flying hours thanks to a donation of £47,000 to UK-based Peterborough City Hospital from the HELP Appeal
The helipad lighting will enable air ambulances to land throughout the night and support immediate access to the Emergency Department during darkness hours.
The lighting installation is solar powered, therefore reducing the hospital’s carbon footprint. All air ambulance pilots can activate the lighting system via a VHF radio transponder miles away from the helipad. Alternatively, staff on-site can operate the system from the ground control panel.
Stuart Toulson, Matron for Urgent & Emergency Care at Peterborough City Hospital, said: “’We are extremely grateful to our friends at the HELP Appeal for ensuring that our team within the Emergency Department can now deliver high quality emergency care across the full 24-hour period. Their generosity will have a very positive impact for our patients.”
Saving many more lives
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, added: “People can become seriously ill or injured anytime of the day or night. This new lighting system on Peterborough City Hospital’s helipad allows air ambulances to land, even when it’s dark, so patients can get the urgent treatment they need 24/7 – which will save many more lives.”
The helipad, which was built in September 2011, now offers a 24-hour service meaning that Magpas Air Ambulance, the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Coastguard Service, and other specialist units can access the hospital at any time of the day and night.
Clara Bullock
Clara Bullock is a writer for ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue. Initially a freelance writer for publications ranging from gardening news to music magazines, she has made the transition to writing about the ins and outs of travel insurance and aeromedicine. In her spare time she reviews books on Instagram and eats pasta.