The East of England Ambulance Trust is hoping a new ambulance hub on the outskirts of Ipswich will improve the lifesaving services for the Suffolk community.
The trust has recently applied for planning permission to build an ambulance centre, which would also include a ‘Make Ready Central Reporting Hub’.
The facility would be located within Ransomes Industrial Estate, on the land off The Havens, close to the A14 and A1189 in south-east Ipswich.
The site has been vacant for many years.
The application to Ipswich Borough Council reads that the new hub would support lifesaving services, allowing for the future growth and implementation of efficient practices for cleaning, stocking and maintaining of ambulances.
It would also allow the clinical staff to concentrate their time caring for the patients of Ipswich and the surrounding area.
A spokesperson for East of England Ambulance Trust said: “We’re investing in building new ambulance stations (hubs) to improve our service for patients and the working lives of our colleagues.
“The new stations will include ‘make ready’ facilities and a vehicle workshop to ensure our ambulances are kept on the road and are cleaned and stocked for crews.
“We are looking at options to increase the number of response posts – locations where our crews can rest and take a break and be able to respond quickly to the local community.”
This news follows a recent Freedom of Information request made by this newspaper, which revealed that almost half of the region’s ambulances broke down in August.
The new hub in Ipswich, which is set to operate 24/7, would employ almost 100 members of staff.
The plans also include setting up a multi-storey car park for ambulances, staff, and visitors, as well as vehicle access connected to the existing The Havens Road and some landscaping works.
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