The purpose of the CAP is to promulgate design standards and options for new heliports and refurbishments located at hospitals in the United Kingdom. Design standards are based on the international standards and recommended practices in ICAO Annex 14 Volume II. A good heliport design will ensure it is 'safe and friendly' for helicopter operations, while accounting also for the clinical needs of a patient; so it's proximity to the Emergency Department (ED) affords rapid patient transfer without the complication of a secondary transfer by land ambulance.

Amendment 1 to the 1st Edition of CAP 1264 presents, in Appendix D, a final specification for the heliport lighting scheme comprising perimeter lights, a lit touchdown / positioning marking and lit cross markings following hospital heliport lighting scheme trials conducted in June 2019. In anticipation of the adoption of a comprehensive update to heliport rescue and firefighting requirements in Annex 14 Volume II (in March 2020), Chapter 5 has been amended to capture the upcoming international standards and recommended practices.