Salford Royal Hospital completes helipad construction

The helipad is due to become operational in June 2023 alongside the opening of Salford Royal’s new major trauma hospital. It is expected to serve approximately 360 landings by helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operators per year.

The helipad has direct access, via lift, to the hospital’s emergency department. At present, air ambulances are forced to land in a nearby sports field, before being transported to the emergency department by road ambulance. It is estimated that the new helipad could save around 20 minutes per patient transportation.

Helipads play a vital role in improving patient transfer times

Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal said, “Hospitals and helicopters help to save lives. But a helipad also plays a key role by linking the two together so seriously ill patients can be transferred quickly and seamlessly to the Emergency Department after landing in an air ambulance. This is why we had no hesitation in making the £2 million donation, which was only made possible by our supporters.”

“We’re delighted to have received support from the HELP Appeal to construct the helipad, which will have a huge impact on our ability to treat the most seriously injured patients from across the northwest,” said Dr. Eimhear Quinn, emergency department consultant and air ambulance doctor.

Other HELP Appeal-funded helipads due to open in the near future include one at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, also due to open in 2023, and another at Airedale General in Keighley, West Yorkshire, due to open later in 2022.