HELP Appeal, April 10, 2025 - This month marks the fourth anniversary of the lifesaving rooftop helipad at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, which also serves the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DCN).
Since its opening, the helipad has seen over 175 landings from air ambulances, transporting the country’s most critically ill patients who require urgent care.
Previously, the original helipad was located at ground level at the Little France site, surrounded by trees and hillside. Due to a change in Civil Aviation Authority rules, it could only operate during daylight hours, meaning nighttime patients had to land at Edinburgh Airport before being transferred by road ambulance, adding up to an hour to their journey.
The new helipad, located above the fourth floor of the RHCYP/DCN, offers direct access to both the child and adult Emergency Departments, as well as all other clinical departments on-site, providing life-saving services around the clock.
This vital project was part-funded by the HELP Appeal, who, thanks to our generous supporters, donated £700,000 — half of the total cost of the helipad.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal says: “This rooftop helipad has revolutionised the hospital’s ability to provide immediate care to patients in a critical condition. The helipad’s location ensures that patients can get to the right care, faster, no matter the time of day or night. We are incredibly grateful to our supporters who made this lifesaving project and many others possible.”
About HELP Appeal : The HELP Appeal is the only charity in the country funding hospital helipads and air ambulance base helipads. Our work in ensuring patients reach hospital within the golden hour, helps to save hundreds of lives every year.
Since its opening, the helipad has seen over 175 landings from air ambulances, transporting the country’s most critically ill patients who require urgent care.
Previously, the original helipad was located at ground level at the Little France site, surrounded by trees and hillside. Due to a change in Civil Aviation Authority rules, it could only operate during daylight hours, meaning nighttime patients had to land at Edinburgh Airport before being transferred by road ambulance, adding up to an hour to their journey.
The new helipad, located above the fourth floor of the RHCYP/DCN, offers direct access to both the child and adult Emergency Departments, as well as all other clinical departments on-site, providing life-saving services around the clock.
This vital project was part-funded by the HELP Appeal, who, thanks to our generous supporters, donated £700,000 — half of the total cost of the helipad.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal says: “This rooftop helipad has revolutionised the hospital’s ability to provide immediate care to patients in a critical condition. The helipad’s location ensures that patients can get to the right care, faster, no matter the time of day or night. We are incredibly grateful to our supporters who made this lifesaving project and many others possible.”
About HELP Appeal : The HELP Appeal is the only charity in the country funding hospital helipads and air ambulance base helipads. Our work in ensuring patients reach hospital within the golden hour, helps to save hundreds of lives every year.
Edinburgh RI See also |
HELP Appeal 
Air Medical Ambulance Services SASv
Scottish Ambulance Service UK Air Ambulances Prestwick sector HM Coastguard Her Majesty’s Coastguard 
