Royal Preston Hospital unveils upgraded helipad

The Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire, northern England, has reopened its fully refurbished helipad following a £720,000 upgrade funded by the HELP Appeal, significantly strengthening emergency aviation capability for air ambulance and wider public safety operations.

The project replaced the hospital’s aging landing facility with a modern pad featuring upgraded aviation lighting, enhanced fencing and barriers, improved drainage, advanced control systems, and a live on-site weather station. These improvements will enhance operational safety, enable faster turnaround times, and support reliable access during day, night, and adverse weather conditions.

While primarily designed for air ambulance transfers, the upgraded helipad also provides a critical access point for other special mission aircraft, including police aviation units, search and rescue helicopters, and civil contingency flights responding to major incidents or disasters. Improved lighting and remote activation systems allow crews to land safely without ground support delays, crucial during time-critical missions.

During the three-month refurbishment, helicopters were diverted to Fulwood Barracks to ensure continuity of emergency care.

Mark Bishop, from the hospital trust’s estates department, said: “This investment represents a major step forward for emergency care in our region. We are incredibly grateful to the HELP Appeal for their extraordinary generosity and for helping us provide the safest and most efficient environment for patients arriving by air ambulance.”

HELP Appeal Chief Executive Robert Bertram added: “This modern, purpose-built helipad will make a vital difference by allowing patients in the most serious need to be brought straight to the hospital swiftly and safely at any time, day or night... helping them deliver lifesaving care when every second matters.”