Construction begins on state-of-the-art helipad in Manchester

Generous donors who supported the appeal to raise funds for the new state-of-the-art helipad at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust at a ‘breaking of the ground’ celebration to mark construction work progress

The ground has been broken on a new state-of-the-art helipad at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

Set to be fully operational later this year, funding for the Oxford Road helipad was raised by the MFT Charity’s Time Save Lives appeal, which raised a phenomenal £3.9 million in just 12 months.

The new helicopter landing site will also enable critically ill or injured babies, children and adults to be airlifted straight to four major MFT hospitals, with a high-level patient transfer corridor connecting the helipad landing site to the hospitals on MFT’s Oxford Road campus.

The helipad is expected to see an estimated 312 patients airlifted to the site each year, reinforcing the Manchester Royal Infirmary’s Major Trauma Centre role for Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas, alongside the hospital’s dedicated Major Trauma Ward.

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is a dedicated Children’s Major Trauma Centre and provides care for seriously ill or injured children from across the North West and beyond.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Chairman, Kathy Cowell said: “It was a pleasure to again meet representatives from organisations who have so generously funded our helipad. I was delighted to show our guests construction progress so far on our helipad, which will help so many of our patients in the future.

“This is a very exciting time for MFT and the helipad is a fantastic project, which will help to save so many lives in Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond.”

Alistair Rennie, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and Group Clinical Lead for Emergency Planning at MFT, said: “This helipad means that air ambulances, which currently land on a nearby field, will be able to land directly at MFT.

“This is crucial, as the first 60 minutes following a major trauma injury is known as the ‘Golden Hour’, and treatment within the first hour can mean the difference between life and death.

“The helipad will ensure both adults and children with major trauma reach their respective receiving teams without delay. I was proud to show our guests what a difference their generous donations will make.”

The appeal was the focus of the charity’s fundraising, with individuals, businesses and community groups from across the North West all showing their support. This included a generous donation of £1.36 million from the HELP Appeal – which included a contribution from the national will-writing charity, Wills & Legal Services – and £1.1 million from the government’s LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) fines funds in the Chancellor’s Budget.

A similar helipad is also in the works for the Major Trauma Centre at the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, with an operational date to be determined.