Home / Health / Brighton Hospital Helipad Lands First Helicopter After 7-Year Delay
Brighton Hospital Helipad Lands First Helicopter After 7-Year Delay
25 Feb
Summary
- The helipad, costing £15.5m, welcomed its first helicopter seven years after initial planning.
- Structural concerns and rising costs caused significant delays to the project.
- The helipad is expected to be fully operational for patient transfers in 2026.
A helipad at Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital has successfully completed its first helicopter landing, seven years after its initial planned opening. The £15.5m platform faced considerable delays due to structural issues and increasing costs.
The test flight occurred recently, with a helicopter from Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex landing on the structure. Hospital chief executive Dr. Andy Heeps expressed strong confidence that the helipad will commence patient use in 2026, emphasizing its importance for a major trauma centre serving patients across Sussex.
Currently, patients airlifted to the hospital land in East Brighton Park and require ambulance transfer. The new helipad, designed for up to 70 flights annually to the A&E department, will operate daily between 07:00 and 19:00 under normal circumstances. Its construction over a 15-storey tower presented significant engineering challenges.
Recent assessments in January 2023 highlighted potential risks, including cladding being dislodged by landing helicopters, necessitating remedial work. The hospital is actively conducting simulation exercises to ensure efficient patient transfer procedures once the helipad is fully operational for medical purposes.
