A life-saving helipad has become one of the UK’s busiest and slashed emergency transfer times since being built on top of King’s College Hospital in 2016.
The “absolutely vital” helideck atop the Denmark Hill Hospital celebrated its seventh birthday today (Thursday, October 26).
Before it was installed, air ambulances had to land some distance away from the hospital, with patients being driven the remainder of the way.
But thanks to the helipad, emergency transfer times have plummeted from 25 minutes to just five minutes.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal said: “With nearly one landing every day, this lifesaving helideck is one of the busiest in the country. Every landing has resulted in up to 25 minutes being saved in transferring the patient to specialist treatment. This is absolutely vital for the most seriously ill and is helping to save their lives.”
The helideck was funded with a £2.75 million donation from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads.
Since it was built, it’s taken 2,389 landings. In 2019, it started operating 24/7 allowing it to accept even more patients.
The pad also has a Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System (DIFFS) – the first ever on the UK mainland.
The HELP Appeal has funded 49 helipads to date, which have seen over 25,000 landings in total across the country.
Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, Clinical Director at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The development of the helideck at King’s has been a huge achievement and we are indebted to support from the HELP Appeal and our many other local donors.
“In seven years the helideck has contributed to improving the care we give to major trauma patients, not just during the day, but 24/7 as the first night capable helideck in London.”