A new helipad is set to open at King's College Hospital today - shortening transfer times for Kent patients.

The new facility is built on top of the London centre's 10-storey Ruskin Wing, and will dramatically cut down the time it takes to transfer critically ill and injured patients into the care of trauma teams.

Prior to the helipad launch, Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance Trust aircraft would land in nearby Ruskin Park with patients being transferred to the hospital by road – adding up to 25 minutes to the journey time.

Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff is clinical director for emergency medicine at King’s and also works with the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust carrying out shifts as a HEMS Doctor.

In 2013 he treated two-year-old Louis Parvin at the scene of an accident at his grandparents' home in Barming, after a heavy wardrobe fell onto him, leaving him fighting for his life. Louis suffered a fractured skull and was placed in an induced coma by paramedics, before being airlifted to King’s for further treatment.

Three years on Kaylie Parvin, Louis’ mum, said: “I am delighted to hear about the new rooftop helipad at King’s. This is great news for the community as none of us ever know when we might need the help of this amazing charity. I will always be so grateful to them for what they did for Louis.”

Dr Tunnicliffe said: “We are incredibly pleased that the helipad at King’s is ready to be operational. It’s very exciting for King’s, the patients we treat, and our staff, who go above and beyond every single day to save lives.”

The helipad has been made possible thanks to £2.75m donation from the County Air Ambulance Trust’s HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding the construction of hospital helipads – as well as the efforts of hospital fundraisers.

In addition to contributing towards the cost of the helipad, the HELP Appeal has also covered the entire cost of the deck integrated firefighting system, totalling £500,000, negating the need for a team of firefighters.