Rooftop helipad installed at Dorset County Hospital’s new emergency care facility

A new rooftop helipad has been installed at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) in Dorchester, UK, marking a key construction milestone for the hospital’s new Emergency Department (ED) and Critical Care Unit.

The helipad was unveiled during a topping-out ceremony, as the £100 million facility reached its highest point. Funded through the UK government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP), the two-story building is scheduled to open in 2027 and will expand emergency and critical care capacity at the hospital.

The £2 million helipad was funded by the HELP Appeal. The aluminum helideck measures approximately 26.4m² and can accommodate aircraft weighing up to 8,600kg.

The facility will become the only rooftop hospital helipad in Dorset, enabling air ambulances to land directly at the site and reducing transfer times for critically ill and injured patients.

The new ED will include dedicated areas for children and young people and patients requiring mental health support, while critical care capacity will increase from 11 to 16 beds, with scope for further expansion.

DCH Chief Executive Matthew Bryant said the development was “the biggest change in healthcare facilities in Dorchester for a generation” and would “transform the way in which we are able to deliver care”.

The project is also supported by Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal, which is raising funds for enhanced facilities including overnight accommodation for relatives and staff.