December 13 2021 marks two years since HRH The Princess Royal officially launched the lifesaving helipad at Maidstone Hospital. Since then, it has seen 81 landings from a range of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) including Air Ambulance Kent Surrey and Sussex and the Children’s Air Ambulance, which provides a medical transfer service for critically ill babies and children up to the age of 18.
The helipad was made possible after the HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads – contributed £300,000 to cover the entire cost. The all-weather helipad at the rear of the oncology unit, replaced a temporary site for landings, which was frequently water-logged. Helipad lighting was also installed, which has enabled air ambulances to land during darkness hours since December 2019 and therefore increased the number of patients who’ve have immediate access to the Emergency Department.
Dr Peter Maskell, Medical Director at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, commented:
“Every minute counts with the transfer of a critically ill patient, and thanks to the helipad we are now able to transfer seriously ill patients to our Emergency Department at Maidstone Hospital quicker than ever before.
“This dramatic improvement in the time a patient can access specialist medical care from our expert trauma team here at the Trust, gives the patient the best chance of recovery.”
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal adds:
“This helipad has saved time and saved lives. We are so proud that the HELP Appeal’s donation has helped the hospital to treat patients as quickly as possible, even during wet weather and during darkness hours, over the past two years.’
The HELP Appeal has over 40 projects across the country in the pipeline. In Kent they include, the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate; Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford and Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham
Within the South East London, Kent and Medway Trauma Network the HELP Appeal has funded the rooftop helipad at King’s College Hospital – which has had over 1000 landings since 2016. Maidstone Hospital’s helipad is the second helipad we have funded in this trauma network.
The HELP Appeal also donated £500k to fund the upgrade of the base at Air Ambulance Kent Surrey & Sussex (AAKSS).
To support the HELP Appeal you can donate HERE.
