Essex & Herts Air Ambulance welcome 24/7 helipad at Addenbrooke's
Previously the helipad was available for use from 7am until 9pm
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) are welcoming the news of planning applications to extend the hours of use of a helipad at Addenbrooke's hospital to 24/7.
The helipad helps to improve patient outcomes, enabling quicker transport to emergency care, at the region's Major Trauma Centre.
Addenbrooke's Hospital previously had the helipad available for use from 7am until 9pm, with recent planning applications submitted and approved to extend the hours to 24/7.
The first 24/7 helipad became operational on May 20th, 2024, something air ambulance charities are commending for its safety for patients.
Reduced wait time and additional transfers via land ambulance are some of the benefits that EHAAT and other services such as East Anglian Air Ambulance (EHAAA) are highlighting, following the extended hours.
In a statement posted to EHAAT's website, Dr Tony Joy, Medical Director at EHAAT, welcomed the extension, ‘With Addenbrooke’s being a primary Major Trauma Centre for Essex, Hertfordshire, and the surrounding regions, we frequently transport patients there. The plans to develop a 24/7 helipad landing site are hugely welcome and will lead to a reduction in transfer times for critically ill and injured patients, helping to improve their clinical outcomes.
"EHAAT and other charities are working tirelessly on the campaign to improve local and national helipad infrastructure, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative work alongside our neighbouring air ambulances, EAAA and Magpas Air Ambulance as we collectively strive to deliver the most effective critical care to our local communities.’’