NEW REPORT CALLS FOR SAFEGUARDED 24/7 ON-SITE HOSPITAL HELIPADS ACROSS UK MAJOR TRAUMA CENTRES & SPECIAL HOSPITALS

We were proud to play a part in the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Air Ambulances report, Critical Moments, Life-Saving Infrastructure: The Case for Safeguarded 24/7 On-Site Hospital Helipads out this week.

The report highlights the critical role air ambulances play in saving lives but also shines a spotlight on the challenging reality that many Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) and specialist hospitals still have inadequate access to helipads.

The report assessed over 40 hospitals across the country, half of which (53%) are either unable, or not consistently able, to support 24/7 on-site helipad access. This lack of access is a significant issue and one that requires urgent attention.

Where hospitals do not have 24/7 on-site helipad access, we are often required to land at off-site locations, which can introduce delays in transferring patients into hospital care, putting lives at risk at a time when every second counts.

We are joining the call for all MTCs and specialist hospitals to have on-site helipads that are safeguarded for use by air ambulances.

The national report has been produced in partnership with Air Ambulances UK, the other local air ambulance charities, the HELP Appeal and the University of Liverpool’s Flight Science & Technology School of Engineering.

Our CEO Mark Jarman-Howe commented:

“The challenges in access to helipads are particularly acute in London and the East of England – in the very hospitals we fly to. No patients access to life-saving care should be affected by these kinds of avoidable variations. We work hard to get patients to the right places as quickly as we can but we really need all MTCs and specialist hospitals to have on-site helipads that are safeguarded for our use. Helipads also need to be recognised as core hospital infrastructure, with investment to match.”