Maidstone Hospital's new 24-hour helipad, which could potentially save hundreds more lives every year, is almost ready to use.

The permanent landing site at the rear of the hospital's oncology unit will mean air ambulances no longer have to use a temporary grass area, which often finds itself waterlogged.

The new helipad from above

This year, the Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads (HELP) Appeal has pledged £300,000 in donations to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to get the site up and running as soon as possible.

It is now being made ready for test flights and a video posted by the trust on social media shows a pilot's eye view of the new landing spot.

Health chiefs say the helipad will mean patients who attend Maidstone's emergency department or who require specialist treatment in London hospitals can be flown quickly door-to-door by air, rather than trying to navigate congestion, particularly on Hermitage Lane.

Trust documents on preparations for Brexit said the helipad would be ready in time for Britain's exit from the European Union, during which it could be used in exceptional circumstances to transport both patients and essential supplies.

Robert Bertram Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal said: “If testing goes well, the opening of the helipad in the next few weeks will not have come at a better time.

"Despite less daylight hours and tougher winter weather conditions, air ambulances will still be able to land on the new, illuminated helipad, which will enable critically ill patients to have immediate access to and from the hospital’s Emergency Department, which will save time and could save their life.”

John Weeks, Emergency Planning Director, added: "We are currently working with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance to begin test flights and training shortly.

"We would like to thank the HELP Appeal for their generosity in funding the new helipad.”

The site is due to be officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal later this year.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone