Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 9 December 2022 (HL3930), what assessment they have made of the impact of the helipad at Royal Sussex County Hospital on (1) safety relating to the cladding on the tower, and (2) noise.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has undertaken remedial works to fix the issues with the cladding on the helipad at Royal Sussex County Hospital. However, additional surveys have identified concerns with the glazed curtain wall. The trust is discussing these with its building contractor to determine the likely extent of additional remedial works. Noise issues are considered as part of the design of helipads as referenced in the relevant guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority, Standards for helicopter landing areas at hospitals. A copy of the guidance is attached.