It has been nine years since Royal Bournemouth Hospital opened its larger, night-lit helipad, helping seriously ill and injured patients receive urgent specialist care at any hour.

The HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads – donated the entire £117,000 cost of the new facility.

Since September 2017, the helipad has supported 351 landings from helicopters carrying critically ill patients from across the south of England.

Its night-lighting means that patients can be flown directly to the hospital throughout the day and night, helping medical teams begin vital treatment as quickly as possible.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, said:

“Every landing represents a seriously ill or injured patient who needed urgent hospital care. We are incredibly proud that our £117,000 donation has enabled helicopters to land at Royal Bournemouth Hospital around the clock. Nine years on, the helipad continues to demonstrate how the right facilities can help save time when every second matters.”