A helicopter has landed on the helipad at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, for the first time.
People living in the area around the hospital watched and some cheered as the first landing was made before sunset – and NHS bosses were keen to emphasise that it was a test landing for safety checks.
A second touchdown followed in the dark after 6pm although night landings are not planned when the air ambulance starts to bring patients to the Royal Sussex.
Further test flights and landings are planned and these are expected to involve dummy runs for the emergency transfer of patients out of the helicopter, down into the hospital to the resus area or wherever else they will receive treatment.
The major trauma centre clinical lead at University Hospitals Sussex, Stephanie Tilston, said: “Today marks an important milestone in regional emergency care.
“Today’s successful test landings bring us a step closer to making the helipad operational so we can care for patients with the most serious life‑threatening injuries and illnesses even faster than we do now.”
Dr Tilston added: “These initial landings allowed us to test the helipad itself, with a view to receiving sign-off from the Civil Aviation Authority.
“The next step will be to test out our processes for receiving extremely vulnerable patients and transferring them smoothly from the helicopter to the right clinical team.
“Every second counts and so it is essential we ensure we can perform those transfers as quickly and safely as possible.
“We are now an important step closer to delivering a fully operational helipad for people across Sussex.”
Noticed that it was done in near perfect windless conditions. So unlikely to be used in less than ideal conditions. For those who watch TV’s air ambulance programs, will know most air ambulances use existing airfields. I wonder why?
Waste of (a lot of) money.
For the first test run, yes, you would want near perfect conditions and then build up to the test limits. That’s how testing works.
The aircraft will not be based there as it’s home base is Redhill aerodrome. Most trauma units, have a pad either on the hospital or within the grounds for transfers.
Would you still call it a waste of money if it saved your life or that of a loved one?
Exactly I agree, some people always have something to be negative about instead of being
positive and look towards new ideas.
In 1969 we land a man on the moon, 2026 we land a helicopter on a £16 million hospital roof im not too sure this is progress.
Well its not doing pleasure flights so if it needs to be used in an emergency and save life’s then all the best for everyone involved
I agree wholeheartedly with that George 🙄xx
Well I would think it’s fairly obvious you wouldn’t do the first test landing in gale force winds ?
They built the helipad, years later they test it. They shouldn’t rush, go easy please…