3 June 2026
A new report from the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Air Ambulances is calling for safeguarded 24/7 on-site access – helipads – at all major trauma centres and specialist hospitals.
The report, Critical Moments, Life-Saving Infrastructure: The Case for Safeguarded 24/7 On-Site Hospital Helipads, assesses 43 hospitals and identifies a clear national infrastructure gap, with over half of sites unable to consistently support full 24/7 on-site helipad access.
APPG report is launched at the Houses of Parliament
Overall, over half of the assessed sites (53%) are either unable, or not consistently able, to support full operational capability for 24/7 on-site helipad access.
Separately, more than a third (37%) of hospital sites either lack 24/7 on-site access altogether or do not have an operational helipad. In addition, there are seven hospitals which require a new helipad.
Where on-site access is unavailable, air ambulances are often required to land at secondary off-site locations, introducing delays into the transfer of critically ill or injured patients into specialist care.
The UK’s air ambulance charities rely on NHS infrastructure to complete the patient journey into hospital and receive no routine Government funding, instead depending on public donations to deliver pre-hospital emergency care.
?? A major milestone for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance as the charity’s second helicopter has officially touched down at Henstridge Airfield for the very first time. ??
To read the full article online, visit: https://t.co/gXuj58fTI6#AirAmbulance pic.twitter.com/7lNm6lNjaW
— Air Ambulances UK (@AirAmbulancesUK) May 30, 2026
The report calls for coordinated Government action across the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Transport, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to address the infrastructure gap and embed hospital helipads as standard NHS provision.
A special parliamentary reception was held at the House of Commons on 2 June, which attracted support from key political figures to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of the UK’s air ambulance charities. More than 80 Members of Parliament attended the gathering, organised by Air Ambulances UK (AAUK), the national charity supporting the lifesaving work of the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities.
Campaign ambassador Dr Hilary Jones said, “Patients shouldn’t face barriers to life-saving care because of where they are or how they arrive at hospital. Safeguarded, 24/7 on-site hospital helipads are an important part of making sure everyone can access the care they need.
A public petition calls for safeguarded 24/7 hospital helipad access across all Major Trauma Centres and specialist hospitals. The campaign is encouraging members of the public to show their support and help build momentum for change. Click here to sign the petition.
Click here to read the full report
The helipad at the QEU Hospital in #Glasgow has now recorded more than 3,000 landings since opening in May 2015, highlighting its vital role in transporting critically ill and seriously injured patients from across the region.
👉https://t.co/ybI4OJdjT7#scotland #emergencycare pic.twitter.com/EtQUMnePan— HELP Appeal (@HelipadHELP) May 21, 2026
