A NEW state-of-the-art helipad will be built on the roof of a new building of Dorset County Hospital (DCH) next year thanks to fundraising efforts.

The helipad will be built on top of the new emergency department and critical care unit on the former Damers School site.

This has been made possible after HELP, the only charity in the country that funds NHS hospital helipads, boosted the fundraising appeal with a £2 million donation.

The fourth and final £500,000 instalment was presented by the chief executive of the HELP appeal, Robert Bertram.

The new helipad will allow a patient to be transferred quickly and comfortably via a lift directly into the hospital, maintaining their privacy and dignity.

Anita Thomas, Dorset County Hospital’s chief operating officer, said they are “incredibly grateful” to the HELP appeal and supporters.

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“These departments care for some of the sickest and most seriously injured patients and the new helipad will help us provide timely urgent care to people for many years to come,” she said.

The HELP Appeal has funded 55 life-saving helipads at major trauma centres and accident and emergency hospitals around the country.

Of these, 32 were brand new, which have now seen over 29,000 landings.

Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal, said: “This state-of-the-art, rooftop helipad means air ambulances will land just moments from the new emergency department, giving critically ill patients instant access to lifesaving care.

“We’re proud to have donated £2 million – only made possible by our incredible supporters – towards vital infrastructure that will help to save many lives.

“While construction of the new building is underway, the old helipad has been decommissioned, and a temporary landing site is being used at the nearby Army Reserve Centre, which has also been funded by the HELP Appeal.”