HELP Appeal donates £600,000 for new helipad at Northumberland hospital

The HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads, has donated an impressive £600,000 to support the construction of a new helipad at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) in Cramlington.

The project will ensure the new helipad meets modern and future aviation standards. It includes the installation of a larger concrete landing pad, a 4-metre-wide safety zone and enhanced earthworks and landscaping.

Once completed, the helipad will support both day and, for the first time, night landings, featuring new aviation lighting, safety markings, warning lights, and improved footpaths.

As part of the initiative, extensive wildflower planting will also take place, delivering a 10% net biodiversity gain in line with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s commitment to the NHS Net Zero agenda.

Situated at NSECH, the helipad plays a role in enabling the rapid transport and treatment of seriously ill and injured patients from across Northumberland and North Tyneside.

Birju Bartoli, Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As one of the largest geographically spread NHS trusts in England, having a helipad is a valuable asset in supporting the delivery of emergency care. These upgrades will enhance our ability to provide timely, life-saving critical care.

“We are incredibly grateful to the HELP Appeal for their generous support. Their funding will make a lasting difference to our patients, our clinical teams and the air ambulance crews who rely on this facility.”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, added: “Thanks to the HELP Appeal’s funding, this helipad will be equipped with state-of-the-art lighting, enabling lifesaving air ambulance landings around the clock for the very first time.

“Night-time landings mean that more critically ill patients can get to specialist care faster than ever before, no matter the hour. This transformation will help save more lives and marks a major step forward for emergency care in the region.”