For patients across Sussex, this means faster transfers to hospital and quicker access to the specialist care they need in life‑threatening emergencies.
As the region’s designated Major Trauma Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital already plays a crucial role in treating the most severely injured patients.
The addition of the helipad further strengthens this role, enhances the Sussex Trauma Network and ensures that patients from across the region are brought directly to the hospital for the very best trauma care.
Preparing for take-off
Our journey to the first flight has been marked by a series of essential upgrades, including more recently:
- Repainting the landing “H” for maximum visibility
- Installing an enhanced fire suppression system
- Final remedial works have been completed on the Thomas Kemp Tower to ensure safe landings.
The addition of the helipad further strengthens this role, enhances the Sussex Trauma Network and ensures that patients from across the region are brought directly to the hospital for the very best trauma care. to say this: In May 2026, the Brighton helipad was formally opened by the first patient flown directly onto the new platform
Why it matters
The helipad will enable faster transfers for:
- Major trauma
- Cardiac emergencies
- Stroke emergencies
By bringing patients directly to specialist teams, the helipad will significantly reduce transfer times and strengthen our role as a key provider of trauma and other tertiary services across the region.
Thank you
We would like to say our thanks to the teams who have worked hard to help us to achieve this important improvement to trauma care for Sussex patients, and to those teams who have shown flexibility and a real ‘One UHSussex’ spirit to enable us to undertake the maintenance works required to make the helipad operational.
