The helipad at Leeds’ Major Trauma Centre has seen 1,182 landings since the HELP Appeal donated over £132,000 in 2017 to install essential lighting and fire-fighting equipment on the helipad, allowing air ambulances to land later in the evening and provide immediate access to the emergency department for critically ill patients.
Previously, the helipad had to close at 4 p.m. during winter and 8 p.m. in summer. With the new lighting, especially important when the days are shorter, the helipad can now remain operational for longer, resulting in additional landings since the upgrade.
Leeds General Infirmary plays a vital role in delivering life-saving care to severely injured adults and children from the Yorkshire and Humber region. Many patients arrive by air ambulance due to the severity of their conditions, necessitating swift medical attention.
Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal, says,
“This upgrade has significantly extended the hours during which air ambulance patients can land on this helipad and gain immediate access to the Emergency Department. These landings during darkness would not have been feasible without the installation of lights.”
Additionally, the HELP Appeal’s contribution included an illuminated windsock, red lights on the tall chimneys of the nearby Generating Station Complex that powers the hospital, and a specialized patient trolley designed to facilitate safer transfers between the helipad and the hospital.
This press release was prepared and distributed by the HELP Appeal.
