Monday 12th June 2017 – 4.25pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.
Ambulance staff in North Staffordshire have welcomed the opening of their new base, which replaces the previous one that had been open for 55 years.
The new site in Etruria, Stoke, replaces the Broomhall Centre in Hilton Road. The move took place on May 25th.
At 19,000 square feet, it is the biggest ambulance hub in the West Midlands and will be the operating base for around 250 staff and more than 50 ambulances.
Senior Operations Manager, Mark Chapman, said: “This new facility is a state of the art centre which will ensure West Midlands Ambulance Service can continue to provide one of the best ambulance services in the country.
“It is a far cry from the previous site which was far too small and no longer fit for purpose.
“The hub is much bigger than the previous site and has been designed to provide a much more pleasant working environment for our staff.
“Using the latest design and technology it will reduce our running costs which means we can put more money into frontline care. The location gives us excellent access through the area and it combines fantastic facilities for staff.
“The hub has fleet workshops, Ambulance Fleet Assistants who clean, stock and prepare the vehicles, excellent facilities for training and a computer room that will allow staff to complete online training when they are not responding to emergency calls.”
Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “It is not a coincidence that West Midlands Ambulance Service is consistently one of the best performing ambulance services in the country. It is the infrastructure investment, such as this hub, that allows us to provide really good-quality care for our patients and to support our staff to deliver the best possible care and save as many lives as possible in Staffordshire.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
If used, please credit the images to West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Video 1
Operations Manager Becky Hughes reflects on how the new hub has improved the way the Trust operates in Stoke.
Video 2
Staff are united in giving the new facility the thumbs up.
Videos 3
One of the biggest improvements available to staff is the provision of much improved IT, such as a dedicated computer room and a virtual learning area.
Video 4
The new hub brings a wide range of improvements for staff and patients alike.
Excellant so looking forward to joining the student paramedic pathway and helping shape a world class service this looks amazing.