From left: DCH consultant Dr Kevin Samarasingha, HELP Appeal aviation technical advisor Simon Jones, DCH CFO Chris Hearn, DCH’s clinical design implementation lead Fiona Richey, HELP Appeal chief executive Robert Bertram, HELP Appeal chair Michael Henriques, DCH’s interim chief executive Nick Johnson, DCH matron Clare Turnbull, DCH charity fundraising manager Rachel Cole and DCH programme director Tristan Chapman

News

£2m donation for new helipad at Dorset County Hospital

Purbeck GazetteFebruary 8, 20230 Comment0

A BID to build a new helipad at the refurbished Dorset County Hospital has received a £2 million boost.

The cash pledge, from the HELP Appeal charity, will help fund the landing area on new buildings at the Dorchester site.

The hospital plans to build a brand-new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit on the former Damers School site.

As part of the build, the plans include a new helipad on the roof to replace the existing landing pad, at ground-level next to the current Emergency Department.

The new helipad will also be fitted with DIFFS, a firefighting system that will, if ever needed, put out a fire within 15 seconds, as well as enabling patients to be transferred quickly and comfortably via a lift directly into the hospital.

The HELP Appeal, the only charity in the UK to help fund helipads, has donated more than £35m in non-repayable grants to fund life-saving helipads since 2009.

The charity has pledged its support to DCH and presented the first £1m instalment.

Nick Johnson, interim chief executive of Dorset County Hospital, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to the HELP Appeal for their generous support by funding a new helipad to be built as part of the construction of a brand-new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit on the former Damers School site.

“We’re fortunate to have a helipad at DCH – it allows us to provide crucial critical care quickly and ultimately helps saves lives.

“The new helipad will be a huge benefit to our patients, staff, and air ambulance crews.”

Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal, added: “A rooftop helipad with immediate access to specialist, lifesaving treatment will undoubtedly help the amazing staff at Dorset County Hospital provide the best possible care for patients.

“The HELP Appeal has a strong history of supporting hospital helipad projects right across the south coast from Plymouth and Exeter to Southampton and Brighton.

“Over 23,000 landings have now taken place on life-saving helipads we have funded thanks to the support we receive from the public.”