Facilities 7 September 2018

King’s helipad: when every second counts

In emergency situations, where minutes can mean the difference between life and death, the helipad at King’s College Hospital is now operational 24/7 thanks to our generous supporters.
Birds-eye view of the helipad on a bright day with blue skies. The helipad has a bright yellow circle with a red cross in the middle to help air ambulances identify the landing spot. The London skyline is visible in the background.

Alongside a contribution from the County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal, we were so proud of our supporters who generously donated funds to build the new helipad at King’s. Opening in 2016, the helipad sits on top of the ten-storey Ruskin Wing at King’s College Hospital at Denmark Hill and dramatically speeds up the time taken to transfer critically ill patients to King’s – reducing the time from landing to treatment to just five minutes. Previously, helicopters would land in nearby Ruskin Park and patients were transferred by road, which could take up to 25 minutes.

Today, the helipad is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which means any patients requiring specialist trauma treatment and care in southeast London and Kent can be airlifted to King’s in less than 30 minutes at any time of the day or night.

“A 24/7 helipad at King’s is a game-changer for patients in south-east London and Kent as time is absolutely critical when it comes to treating trauma patients. Those with head injuries, multiple fractures or significant blood loss require timely treatment by a specialist team with the right equipment. The air ambulance crew can now administer emergency care on scene and, in less than half an hour, transfer patients to a specialist trauma hospital.”
Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at King’s College Hospital.
Dr Malcolm Tunnicliffe, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at King’s College Hospital, standing on the helipad. He is wearing bright blue scrubs, which contrast strikingly to the stormy dark sky and clouds.
Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at King’s College Hospital, on top of the helipad.



Mr Rob Bentley, Director of Trauma at King’s, says that the construction of the helipad represents a major step-forward for trauma in London. 

“King’s is already a major trauma centre but with the addition of a helipad on the hospital site we will bring truly world-class trauma facilities to this part of London.”
Rob Bentley
Gail Scott-Spicer (King's College Hospital Charity's CEO), and two King's staff members standing outside the Wellbeing Hub, all wearing masks. They are standing in front of a large banner in NHS-branded blue and white. The banner reads 'Staff Wellbeing Hub' and has a blue heart on it.

The Wellbeing Hub: a sanctuary away from the wards

Thanks to supporters who gave so generously to our first emergency Hospital Heroes Appeal in 2020, we were able to set up a temporary Wellbeing Hub for exhausted staff in King’s College Hospital during the pandemic. With further funding, we have now been able to ensure that the Hub is a permanent fixture. The Wellbeing Hub: a sanctuary away from wards
Find out more