£2m Helipad finished at Salford Royal Hospital

Work on a £2m rooftop helipad which could help save the lives of hundreds of patients at a new Salford Royal Hospital centre, has been completed. 

The helipad, which has been funded by donation to the Helicopter Emergency Landing Pods (HELP) appeal, has been built on top of the £68m Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital set to open in Salford next June.

It is anticipated that there will be 360 landings every year on the helipad, which is the first in the country with direct access to a lift down to the Emergency Department, to save time in helping patients in critical conditions.

Stuart Loftus, Construction Manager at BAM Constructions, said: “The team are extremely proud that the helipad has been completed on time and to our high standards. It’s another milestone towards the Major Trauma Hospital being ready to accept patients by 2023.”

The Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital will receive major trauma patients from across the city region, including those who have been involved in a serious road traffic accident or life-changing fall.

According to the Northern Care Alliance, it will also be the hub site for high risk emergency general surgery across Bolton, Salford and Wigan. This means that any high risk patients from these areas who require surgical or non-surgical intervention will be brought to Salford for their care

Features include a resuscitation area, five emergency theatres, inpatient beds, and diagnostic imaging, and the newly completed helipad.

Eimhear Quinn, Emergency Department Consultant and Air Ambulance Doctor, said: “We’re delighted to have received support from the HELP Appeal to construct the helipad, which will have a huge impact on our ability to treat the most seriously injured patients from across the Northwest.”

The structure is made from aluminum, almost 1,000 bolts and can hold up to 8,600kg in weight.

For more information on the Major Trauma Centre visit the North Care Charity Website.

Helicopter Emergency Landing Pods (HELP) is an air ambulance trust established in 2009 to help fund life-saving helipads at Major Trauma Centers around England and Scotland.

❤️Loving the view! And delighted that we could fund its entire construction thanks to our supporters. Looking forward to it opening next year! #HelipadsSaveLives

— HELP Appeal (@HelipadHELP) September 23, 2022