St George’s celebrates six years since the official launch of its helipad today

The helipad at St George’s was officially opened on 29 May 2014 by former Mayor of London Boris Johnson, after having been operationally open since 7 April 2014.

Five air ambulance providers have brought hundreds of critically ill or injured patients to St George’s and there have been 1438 helipad landings overall.

Planning for the helipad started in 2010 shortly after St George’s was named as the designated major trauma centre for the South West London and Surrey Trauma Network.

It was the first to open in south London, took 11 months to construct and cost £5m with the Helicopter Emergency Landing Pad (HELP) appeal donating £1m to its construction.

In 2018, the HELP appeal donated an additional £400,000 to install a deck integrated firefighting system which is able to extinguish a fire quickly and effectively, therefore protecting the helipad and hospital, ensuring the safety of those on deck and avoiding the need for a hospital evacuation.

Dr Anthony Hudson, Clinical Director for Major Trauma and Emergency Medicine Consultant at St George’s, said: “Having the helipad at St George’s has proved hugely beneficial to our patients who are brought here in life-threatening conditions.

He added: “As one of London’s four major trauma centres, we know that getting patients to us in the fastest time possible so they can receive expert care from our major trauma teams is vital for ensuring the best survival rates and future quality of life.”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal said: “St George’s was the first hospital helipad in London to be funded by the charity. Over the past six years, this helipad has given critically ill patients the best possible chance of survival and making a full recovery, as they have immediate access to the emergency department after landing.”

Notes to editors

Image credit: BBC during BBC One’s Clap for Carers on 21 May 2020.