Work has started on the development of an £11m ambulance hub in Bury St Edmunds.
Assura has moved on site to deliver the 2,99sq m facility for East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) – one of the largest ambulance trusts in England, serving over 6.3 million people.
Once completed, the hub will act as a ‘make-ready’ central reporting hub, while housing training facilities and space for 33 ambulances.
Following the launch of the Assura Net Zero Carbon Design Guide, the facility is designed to be fully net-zero carbon in operation.
As such, the development will see the installation of smart technologies, including over 1,000sq m of photo-voltaic (PV) solar panels, with the aim that all expected energy demand is met through the renewable energy generated on site.
This project forms part of our continued purpose to develop quality facilities that improve health services in a community setting, while reducing pressure on hospitals and the NHS
These measures will radically reduce the carbon emissions and overall footprint of the facility, with the scheme designed to achieve BREEAM sustainability certification of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of A+.
Assura’s development of the ambulance hub builds on the success of its first facility in the West Midlands, which supports the West Midlands Ambulance Service in providing crucial healthcare services to a local population of 5.6 million people.
Construction of the hub in Bury St Edmunds is expected to take 14 months.
Jonathan Murphy, chief executive of Assura, said: “This fantastic project in Bury St Edmunds will help East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust to deliver an efficient and essential service to the local population.
“It forms part of our continued purpose to develop quality facilities that improve health services in a community setting, while reducing pressure on hospitals and the NHS.
Staff will move from outdated stations to benefit from facilities including a gym and wellbeing services and will be better supported with onsite vehicle maintenance and preparation so ambulances are equipped and ready to go
“Our development also marks an important milestone in Assura’s strategic expansion into emerging opportunities, building on the success of our first ambulance hub in the West Midlands, as we unlock further value by entering new areas such as NHS trusts, diagnostic centres, and mental health services in the community.”
Tom Abell, chief executive of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, added: “I am delighted to see work begin on the new hub at Bury St Edmunds, which will mean improved service for patients and modern, fit-for-purpose facilities for our teams.
“Staff will move from outdated stations to benefit from facilities including a gym and wellbeing services and will be better supported with onsite vehicle maintenance and preparation so ambulances are equipped and ready to go.
“The development of the central reporting hub will allow rapid and efficient preparation and deployment of our frontline teams to provide consistent, high-quality care to our patients.
“Sustainability is vital to our organisation and I am very pleased that the hub will be the first of its kind in England to be net zero.”