Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to establishing a hospital helipad infrastructure contingency fund to address urgent funding requirements when unforeseen needs arise beyond the capacity of the HELP Appeal.
The Government recognises the important role that hospital helipads can play in supporting emergency and specialist care pathways. However, it has not established, and is not currently considering, a dedicated contingency fund for hospital helipad infrastructure.
Decisions on capital investment are primarily taken by National Health Service organisations and systems, which must balance a range of competing clinical and estate priorities within available resources. Where helipad infrastructure is identified as a local priority, NHS organisations may consider how best to support these requirements, including through charitable contributions such as those provided by the HELP Appeal.