Peterborough City Hospital helipad lighting provides 24 hour service for emergency response

Seriously ill or injured patients from across the region will benefit from extended air ambulance flying hours thanks to a generous donation of nearly £47,000 to Peterborough City Hospital from the HELP Appeal.

State-of-the-art helipad lighting will enable air ambulances to land throughout the night and support immediate access to the Emergency Department during darkness hours.

The lighting installation is solar powered therefore reducing the hospital’s carbon footprint. All air ambulance pilots can activate the lighting system via a VHF radio transponder miles away from the helipad. Alternatively, staff on-site can operate the system from the ground control panel.

Stuart Toulson, Matron for Urgent & Emergency Care at Peterborough City Hospital, said: “We are extremely grateful to our friends at the HELP Appeal for ensuring that our team within the Emergency Department can now deliver high quality emergency care across the full 24-hour period. Their generosity will have a very positive impact for our patients.”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal commented:

“People can become seriously ill or injured anytime of the day or night. This new, state-of-the-art lighting system on Peterborough City Hospital’s helipad, allows air ambulances to land, even when it’s dark, so patients can get the urgent treatment they need 24/7 – which will save many more lives.”

Paul Ferguson, Peterborough City Hospital’s  Heli-Ops Manager added: “We are eternally thankful to the HELP Appeal and support agencies for the installation of the night lighting system. This enhances our ability to accept aircraft at night. We average 5-10 day time movements per month which will increase with the lighting in place.”

The helipad, which was built in September 2011, now offers a 24-hour service meaning that MAGPAS, the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Coastguard Service, and other specialist units can access the hospital at any time of the day and night.

Notes to Editors:
About the HELP Appeal

The HELP Appeal aims to significantly increase the number of onsite hospital helipads at major trauma centres and A&E hospitals through its grant scheme which offers non-repayable grants to hospitals to help fund new helipads or upgrade existing helipads.

• The HELP Appeal has funded 45 helipads, which have received almost 20,000 landings.
• The HELP Appeal relies solely on charitable donations and does not receive any government funding or money from the National Lottery.
• You can follow the HELP Appeal on Twitter: @helipadHELP, Facebook or LinkedIn or visit the website: www.helpappeal.org.uk" www.helpappeal.org.uk or call 0800 3898 999 for more information. 

For further information about the HELP Appeal, please contact Corienne Kilgannon, Communications Director, on 07470 226063 or by emailing corienne@helpappeal.org.uk