Lift off for Worthing Hospital helipad campaign

Nearly 100 people went along on Thursday to join the crusade to re-open the landing pad, which has been used as a car park for the last two years.

Staff at the hospital had been urged not to park on the helipad for the day so banner-waving people could gather there.

The campaign is being led by Nicole Murphy, a nurse at the hospital and Unison representative.

She thinks the helipad should be re-opened so the Sussex Air Ambulance can use it to fly seriously ill patients direct to the accident and emergency department.

She said: "At the moment, the helicopter has to land in Homefield Park, behind the hospital, which means a land ambulance is still needed to bring patients to the hospital.

"This takes 10 minutes '“ if there is one available '“ when they could land right outside the accident and emergency department.

"The police also have to be called to clear the park, which I think should be a place for children to play and not for air ambulances."

Nicole believed having the helipad back would help with the fight to save the hospital, under threat of being downgraded.

Asked what the next stage of the helipad campaign would be, Nicole said: "Watch this space."

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