The HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads, has donated £111,000 to improve the helipad at the Royal Preston Hospital.
Works include additional safety signage, warning lights, and automated barriers which stop vehicles and pedestrians from passing close to the helipad site.
Lighting has also been improved to assist staff in accessing the helipad during the night.
And the system is being linked to a control panel which air ambulance pilots can activate remotely as they approach the helipad, providing greater efficiency and improving the speed at which patients suffering from major illness or trauma can access emergency care. <.p>
The charity’s donation comes six years after the HELP Appeal first supported the hospital by giving £20,000 to ensure that lighting could be installed, enabling air ambulances to land at night for the first time.
Dr Denison Davies, major trauma clinical lead at the Royal Preston Hospital, said: “The improvements will ensure the sickest patients can be transported and treated at any time of the day. This is critical in providing the best-possible care and outcome for our patients.”
Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal, added: “As a major trauma centre, it is vital the life-saving helipad is able to be used safely.
“When Royal Preston Hospital asked us for a donation, we had no hesitation in saying yes, as the safety of patients and staff is paramount.”