North Midlands helipad receives £814,000 safety upgrade funding
An £814,000 HELP Appeal grant will fund new barriers, warning systems, and lighting at Royal Stoke University Hospital’s helipad in Staffordshire, UK
Royal Stoke University Hospital in Staffordshire, England, is to receive £814,000 from the HELP Appeal for safety improvements to its helicopter landing site.
The funding will support works identified through University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s helipad upgrade program, aimed at improving safety and operational arrangements for patients, air ambulance crews, and hospital staff.
The helipad supports 24-hour transfers of critically ill and injured patients to the specialist services at Royal Stoke. It is used by air ambulance operators including Midlands Air Ambulance, Wales Air Ambulance, North West Air Ambulance, and Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
The site recently transported Sue Gould, who was seriously injured after being accidentally run over by a 6-tonne tractor on her farm near Ipstones in Staffordshire. She was flown to Royal Stoke for specialist treatment.
“When I was airlifted to Royal Stoke Hospital, every second mattered,” Gould said. “Knowing that these new safety measures will help keep the area clear and secure when an air ambulance is landing or taking off is very reassuring.”
The HELP Appeal recently donated £300,000 to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance base.
Chloe Fox
Chloe Fox is an Senior Editorial Assistant for Voyageur Group, joining in 2024. She writes for AirMed&Rescue and ITIJ, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision, and air medical transportation. Chloe holds a BA (Hons) in English and an MA in English Literature from the University of Bristol.