£1,528 Raised for the L&D Helipad Appeal
Press release - 10 January 2020
CHSB RAISES £1,528.65 FOR THE LUTON AND DUNSTABLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HELIPAD APPEAL
Challney High School for Boys raised an incredible £1, 528.65 for the helipad appeal during their ‘jolly jumper day’ which took place on Friday the 13th of December 2019.
Why do we need a helipad?
When someone suffers a major trauma; the quicker they receive specialist emergency care, the more likely it is that the treatment will prevent death or serious disability. This is often referred to as the ‘Golden Hour’, when emergency services strive to get patients to the most appropriate place for lifesaving care within an hour of sustaining their injury. Helicopters offer a much more reliable way of transporting critically ill patients, as they significantly reduce travel time compared to a land ambulance.
The Emergency Department at the L&D is renowned as one of the best in the country and treats over 90,000 people each year. Approximately 25% of these have life threatening injuries and require immediate and specialist medical care.
There is currently no helipad providing direct access to the hospital and no 24/7 helipads specifically for Herts, Beds and Bucks. At present, while it is possible on some occasions to airlift patients to the hospital, the helicopters must land in a local playing field and the patient is then transferred over the final distance by road. Air ambulances travel from Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire to get to patients, and if the road journey from the current landing location to the hospital is deemed too risky, these patients can be taken to the nearest emergency helipad; 25 miles away, rather than being brought to the L&D.
In addition to the care that a helipad would enable the L&D to provide, it would also make our hospital the only Level 3 NICU in the country (neonatal critical care unit capable of caring for very small or very sick babies) with 24-hour helipad access.
Student Voice member Aadam Ibraheem said “The helipad appeal emerged as the charity we really wanted to get behind because we know how much it will help people and how crucial every minute is when saving someone’s life.”
Mr Daniel Connor, Head Teacher, said “Challney High School for Boys is committed to supporting our town and community. The helipad will make a significant difference in improving life chances and will also make the L&D the only 24/7 helipad connected to a Level 3 neonatal department in the whole of the UK. I am so proud to be the Head Teacher of such a generous school”.