South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) NHS Foundation Trust and Kier Construction have officially marked the opening of the new purpose-built Make Ready Centre in Ashford, Kent.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Ashford, Cllr Robert Davidson and his wife Daphne, were joined by SECAmb staff and guests, including colleagues from the NHS and fellow emergency services, for the event which gave guests the opportunity to learn more about the award-winning vehicle preparation system which significantly enhances and improves the service SECAmb provides to the community.

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SECAmb's East Hazardous Area Response Team, (HART), which is also based at the depot, put on a demonstration to highlight their additional skills and the specialist equipment they use, before the Mayor and Mayoress unveiled a plaque.

SECAmb's Make Ready system minimises the risk of cross-infection; frees up front-line staff, who historically have cleaned and restocked ambulances, to spend more time treating patients; and keeps vehicles on the road for longer. The system ensures that specially trained operatives regularly deep-clean, restock and check vehicles for mechanical faults. The centre is supported by a network of strategically placed Ambulance Community Responses Posts (ACRPs) across south-east Kent.

Ambulance clinicians begin and end their shifts at the Make Ready Centre and respond from the ACRPs, where there are facilities for staff. Staff can also return and pick up a 'made ready' vehicle during their shift should they need to, thus ensuring they can begin to respond to emergencies more quickly than in the past when they would have to clean and restock their vehicles themselves.

(CD/GK)