Southampton General Hospital’s lifesaving helipad has now been in operation for 13 years. In 2011, the HELP Appeal contributed £1 million towards its construction, and since then, it has facilitated over 4,000 landings, significantly reducing transfer times for critically ill patients with severe trauma or life-threatening conditions.

On average, the helipad sees more than six landings each week from air ambulance helicopters, making it one of the busiest hospital helipads funded by the charity.

Prior to the helipad’s construction, patients arriving by air ambulance had to land at nearby playing fields and then be transported the final two miles by road ambulance— a process that could take up to 30 minutes. In emergency situations, this delay in reaching the hospital posed a serious risk to patients’ lives.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal notes:

“The helipad has provided critically ill patients with faster access to specialist treatment, eliminating the previous delays caused by the need for road transportation. Gaining access to hospital care 30 minutes earlier offers patients the best possible chance of survival.”

Southampton General Hospital was the first Major Trauma Centre to have a helipad funded by the charity.