Hospital helipad reopens after £170k donation

The HELP Appeal is England's only charity dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads

A helipad at a Kent hospital has reopened after a donation of £170,000 enabled upgrade works to be carried out.

Critically ill patients can now be transferred to or from Maidstone Hospital as a result of enhancements made to its helipad facility, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said.

These include the installation of new lights to enable landings at night and upgraded safety measures such as fencing and barriers.

Miles Scott, chief executive at the trust, praised the HELP Appeal for the "generous donation".

He said: "Working in partnership with other agencies is crucial to ensure our patients receive the best possible care, and offering a landing pad for urgent care allows us to do that."

The HELP Appeal, England's only charity dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads, has funded 55 helipads across the country.

Its chief executive, Robert Bertram, added: "We're proud to have funded these essential upgrades at Maidstone Hospital.

"Every second counts in a medical emergency and having a modern, safe and fully operational helipad can make a lifesaving difference."