Assura plc, reportedly the UK private sector’s largest primary care property investor and developer, has moved on site with the development of a £11 million Ambulance Hub in Bury St Edmunds.
The business says this is part of its ‘continued strategic expansion into emerging opportunities – delivering quality healthcare services to the local population through partnerships with NHS Trusts’.
In partnership with East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) – one of England’s largest ambulance Trusts – the 2,900 m2 facility will act as a ‘make-ready’ central reporting hub, while housing training facilities and space for 33 ambulances. Assura says its approach of investing and developing high-quality, sustainable medical facilities will ‘provide the community with a crucial and efficient service, while further reducing the pressure on hospitals and the NHS’.
Following the launch of the Assura Net Zero Carbon Design Guide, the facility is designed to be fully Net Zero carbon in operation. ‘Smart technologies’ installed will include over 1,000 m2 of photovoltaic panels, the aim being for all of the expected energy demand to be met through the renewable energy generated on site. The scheme is designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification, and an EPC rating of A+.
Assura says its development of the £11 m Ambulance Hub ‘builds on the success’ of its first Ambulance Hub, in the West Midlands – which supports the West Midlands Ambulance service in providing crucial health care services to a local population of 5.6 m people’.
Construction of the Hub in is expected to take 14 months.
Jonathan Murphy, CEO of Assura, said: “This fantastic project in Bury St Edmunds will help East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust 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.
“Using our Net Zero Carbon Design Guide, we are aiming for the site to be Net Zero carbon in operation – with all energy used generated by on-site renewable energy in the form of over 1,000 m2 of PV panels. Assura has long-term ambitions to be Net Zero carbon across our portfolio by 2040, helping to drive the UK’s sustainability agenda.”
Tom Abell, CEO of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “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 modern, fit-for-purpose facilities – including a gym and well-being facilities – and be better supported with on-site 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 the hub will be the first of its kind in England to be Net Zero.”
