Southampton General Hospital's £1.1m helipad is opened
A £1.1m helipad at a Hampshire hospital has been officially opened.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has been using the landing site at Southampton General Hospital's since November.
The helipad, which receives flights carrying patients, is expected to significantly reduce transfer times to and from the A&E department.
Dr Andy Eynon, from the hospital, said the facility, which was partly funded by donations, would "save lives".
He said: "Southampton General Hospital serves as the major trauma centre for the region and provides specialist children's services for the whole of the south of England.
"It also provides specialist care for patients suffering strokes, heart attacks and other critical illnesses. This helipad will offer many more people access to the care they require."
Construction on the platform started in September and donations to fund it were raised by the Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads (HELP) Appeal.