VIDEO: Life-Saving Helipad Opens at Royal Sussex County Hospital

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has announced a major milestone in emergency care: its new helipad at Royal Sussex County Hospital is now fully operational. Perched nearly 400 feet above sea level atop the Thomas Kemp Tower, the helipad allows air ambulances to land directly at the region’s designated Major Trauma Centre. This development […]

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has announced a major milestone in emergency care: its new helipad at Royal Sussex County Hospital is now fully operational.

Perched nearly 400 feet above sea level atop the Thomas Kemp Tower, the helipad allows air ambulances to land directly at the region’s designated Major Trauma Centre. This development dramatically reduces transfer times for critically ill or severely injured patients, ensuring they reach specialist teams faster.

The project involved complex planning and collaboration across multiple disciplines within the Trust, alongside external partners and charities such as Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex and Help Appeal – County Air Ambulance Trust.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “We’ve checked, double-checked, and checked again. Today, we’re proud to say the helipad is live. It’s a huge moment for emergency care in Sussex, and it will make a real difference when every minute counts.”

The Trust has also released exclusive footage of a recent simulation exercise, showcasing the helipad in action — from aircraft arrival to delivery of specialist care.