The HELP Appeal is marking the first anniversary of improvement works that brought Maidstone Hospital’s vital helipad in line with the latest national standards.
The £170,000-plus upgrade was made possible by a generous donation from the charity.
One year on, the improved facility continues to support the rapid transfer of critically ill patients arriving at Maidstone Hospital or travelling to specialist Major Trauma Centres, including King’s College Hospital in London, where the HELP Appeal also funded a helipad.
It also provides air ambulance crews with a safe landing site 24 hours a day, seven days a week when responding to emergencies in the surrounding community. Its night-landing capability allows road ambulance teams to meet helicopters and transfer patients quickly and safely, even after dark.
The improvement works included new state-of-the-art lighting, upgraded fencing and safety barriers, and a highly visible bright-green surface designed to meet national compliance standards. Green aviation lights were also installed, enabling lifesaving flights to continue throughout the night.
Maidstone Hospital’s helipad was originally opened by HRH The Princess Royal in 2019. The HELP Appeal funded its entire construction with a £300,000 donation.
Since opening, the helipad has supported more than 190 landings by emergency helicopters, including aircraft operated by Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex and the Children’s Air Ambulance.
