New helipad launches at UK’s Salisbury District Hospital

The new helipad was funded by a £321,000 donation from the HELP Appeal. Senior executives from the Trust, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the HELP Appeal, and other stakeholders attended the event at which an air ambulance and crew were in place.

Commenting on the opening, Lisa Thomas, Chief Executive of Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Approximately 60 patients each year arrive at our hospital via helicopter. To ensure we provide this vital service for many years to come, a replacement of our helipad was urgently required.

“We have been successful in securing all the funding required for this work from the HELP Appeal charity and we are indebted to them for their continued support. This project represents a significant investment in our hospital, benefiting some of our most critically ill patients.”

The new helipad, which is the third HELP Appeal-funded helipad to open across the UK this year, is larger in size, has been fitted with new lights to support night flights and signage, meets all best practice and is compliant with the latest Civil Aviation Authority guidance. A weather station is being fitted to provide pilots with site-specific weather information.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Safety and Ground Operations Manager, Richard Miller, added: “This now ensures the helipad complies with the latest CAP1264 regulations (Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals), enabling ourselves and neighboring air ambulance resources to safely convey patients to the Emergency Department on a regular basis.”

The Project Board leading this work includes membership from the HELP Appeal, Wiltshire Air Ambulance service and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance service, with support from the HELP Appeal, aviation, and healthcare stakeholders.

A HELP Appeal-funded helipad recently opened on the Isle of Mull to provide emergency access for Scottish Air Ambulance and coastguard helicopters.