University Hospital Southampton helipad to get lighting upgrade

Seriously ill or injured patients in southern England will continue to benefit from University Hospital Southampton’s helipad thanks to a donation of £153,000 from the HELP Appeal.

This donation has allowed the hospital to upgrade its safety lighting with new, energy-efficient lights, which are being installed this week. These improvements will not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance the precision with which air ambulance and coastguard pilots can safely land helicopters on site.

The helipad, which the HELP Appeal contributed £1 million to build in 2011, has seen over 4,000 landings from local helicopter emergency medical services, including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

David French, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital Southampton, said: “We are extremely grateful to our friends at the HELP Appeal for ensuring that our team within the Emergency Department can continue to deliver high-quality emergency care. Their generosity will have a very positive impact for the most seriously ill patients in our region.”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, added: “People can become seriously ill or injured at any time, day or night, which is why lighting is crucial at University Hospital Southampton’s helipad. This new installation will ensure air ambulances can continue to land safely, even after dark, just as they have for many years, allowing patients to receive the urgent care they need and ultimately saving many lives.”

The HELP Appeal recently funded an upgrade to a Glasgow hospital helipad.