The NHS East of England Trauma Network is pleased to announce that a temporary helipad will be laid at Addenbrooke’s Hospital as the next step in enhancing care for the most seriously injured people across the region.

This solution has been made possible by close partnership working between the hospital, ambulance service, air ambulance trusts and the land owners, Pembertons.

The temporary helipad will be laid as close as possible to the Emergency Department (ED), but will still require patients to be transferred from the helicopter to ED by land ambulance. It comprises a matting system laid on the ground.

The laying of the temporary helipad follows the introduction of the Network, which links all hospitals together to improve the way in which seriously injured people are cared for and includes making Addenbrooke’s Hospital the Major Trauma Centre for the region.

Whilst the current arrangements for transferring patients who have arrived by air ambulance at the Major Trauma Centre are considered to be safe, the temporary helipad means that access to the hospital can be shortened even further for patients who need it most.

Dr. Simon Lewis – Clinical Director, East of England Trauma Network – “I would like to thank all the organisations involved in this process and the public for raising money, particularly Chariots of Fire which has provided the funds for the temporary helipad. “Whilst care has already been improved for the most seriously injured through the development of the Major Trauma Centre and Trauma Units, the helipad will ensure that those patients can access care just that little bit quicker.”

Professor Tim Hodgetts CBE – Director of Clinical Quality and Development, East Anglian Air Ambulance – “Time is critical for our most seriously injured group of patients. I commend this initiative as an important step in continuing to optimise the time to definitive hospital treatment, and as a marker of the commitment to serially raising the standards of trauma care across the region.”

Daryl Brown – Chief Executive Officer, Magpas – “Magpas is completely devoted to providing the very best emergency medical care to our patients and saving lives. Getting our critically ill or injured patients to the right hospital for their needs in a safe and timely way is absolutely essential. The development of a helipad at Addenbrooke’s is welcomed by the charity”.

Cliff Gale – Operations Director, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance – “For some patients, speed of getting them to a definitive place of care that meets all their urgent clinical needs can literally make all the difference to increase the chances of a successful outcome. The opening of the helipad at our region’s Major Trauma Centre will provide for a speedier transfer for these most critically injured and ill patients that require the advanced interventions that Addenbrooke’s offers. All at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust recognise the fantastic contribution the public have had in making this happen and look forward to being part of the process in making a difference to peoples’ lives.”

Dr. Rod Mackenzie, Clinical Director, Major Trauma Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hospital – “All those involved in the trauma Network are absolutely committed to ensuring a consistent, high quality, safe and efficient trauma system for our region. The temporary helipad will mean that pre-hospital medical teams consisting of specialist doctors and paramedics can get the patient to Addenbrooke’s more quickly. This will improve our services to the public and support our work as the Major Trauma Centre for the East of England.”