This month marks the first anniversary of the opening of Maidstone Hospital’s helipad, which was officially launched in 2019 by HRH The Princess Royal. Since then, it has seen landings from a range of emergency services including Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex and the Children’s Air Ambulance.

The HELP Appeal donated the entire £300,000 required to build the all-weather helipad at the rear of the oncology unit. It replaced the temporary site, which was often water-logged.

Over the past 12 months, the helipad has helped to improve the life chances of critically ill or injured patients being brought to Maidstone Hospital for care or flown from the hospital to specialist centres elsewhere in the country for treatment. As Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal explains: 

“It’s great to see how the HELP Appeal’s donation has made such a difference to critically ill patients across the south east. An all-weather helipad means that air ambulances can land anytime of the year reducing any delays in treatment and saving people’s lives.”

At the launch in 2019, Miles Scott, Chief Executive at MTW NHS Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to Her Royal Highness for taking the time to open the new helipad at Maidstone Hospital, which was only made possible thanks to the generosity of HELP Appeal.”

To help us build more NHS hospital helipads across the country, you can donate here