NHS Property Services (NHSPS) has acquired and fitted out a new ambulance base in Warrington for Connect North West – a neonatal transportation service, delivered by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network, and St John Ambulance.
NHS England identified the need for a new site and, in response to the higher activity levels, NHSPS secured a lease on the new unit, and £1 million in capital funding for the required upgrades. The new base will link over 25 hospitals to care for thousands of babies annually. Benefits will include greater efficiency and flexibility, timely repatriation of babies, and improved ambulance response times;.
Working closely with MFT, NHSPS procured a design team and contractors to create a facility that meets the specific needs of the neonatal transport service. The ground floor houses four ambulances, an incubator service/store area, a deep clean facility, an education room and a quiet room. A kitchen, changing rooms, showers, and WCs were some of the improvements made for NHS colleagues. Throughout the project, NHSPS held regular meetings with the customers to ensure they were updated. The organisation will also provide full property management services at the new site.
NHSPS says the move to the new, purpose-built facility will allow for more efficiency and flexibility, and free up valuable space at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.
