Brighton Hospital Helipad Welcomes First Test Landing

A long-awaited helipad at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton has welcomed its first helicopter – seven years after it was originally due to open.

The £15.5 million platform, built on top of a 15-storey tower above the Trevor Mann Baby Unit, was first expected to become operational in June 2019.

However, the project faced repeated delays due to structural concerns and rising costs.

A test landing took place at around 4:30pm on Tuesday, when a helicopter from Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex touched down on the platform.

Dr Andy Heeps, chief executive of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said he is confident the helipad will begin accepting patients in 2026, following further testing.

He said the hospital is a major trauma centre, meaning patients from across Sussex need to reach specialist care as quickly as possible.

At present, airlifted patients land in East Brighton Park and are transferred to hospital by ambulance.

Dr Stephanie Tilston, clinical lead for the major trauma centre, said the next stage will focus on testing procedures for transferring very vulnerable patients safely and efficiently from the helicopter to the appropriate clinical teams.

She said every second matters in emergency care and it is essential that transfers are carried out as quickly and safely as possible.

She added the test landing marks a significant step towards a fully operational helipad serving people across Sussex.

Planning permission allows for up to 70 flights per year in normal circumstances, between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week, with exceptions in the event of a major incident.

The trust has previously estimated annual running costs at more than £452,000.

The build has been described by the trust as extremely challenging. Remedial work was carried out after structural concerns were identified, including measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding hospital buildings.

The hospital is currently carrying out simulation exercises to prepare for how patients will be transferred from the helipad once it becomes operational.

Geoffrey Bowden, chair of Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, said he welcomed the development, adding that if the helipad helps save lives, it is something few people would oppose.