WELSH Ambulance Service crews in Cardigan Bay are preparing to move to a state-of-the-art new permanent home.
Crews previously based in a Portakabin at New Quay Fire Station will move to a new facility in nearby Aberaeron in November.
A full refurbishment of a 1,700 square foot building on the grounds of Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Minaeron complex is now underway.
The facility will include a garage and two-bay ambulance area as well as a kitchen, rest room and showers.
Catrin Convery, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Locality Manager in Ceredigion, said: “Until recently, our New Quay crews were based out of a Portakabin but extensive storm damage meant our presence there was untenable.
“Since then, colleagues have been working out of locations across the county, so very much look forward to coming together once more and having a base to call their own.
“The Aberaeron site will deliver the improved and fit-for-purpose facilities that our staff deserve, which in turn will mean a better service for the people of Ceredigion.”
The move is part of a broader programme of work to modernise the Trust’s estate, which recently has meant improvements in Tredegar, St Asaph, Swansea, Whitland, Llanidloes and Barry.
More new facilities in South Wales are also in the pipeline, including in the capital city where the Cardiff Area Ambulance Centre is mid-way through construction.
The new facility will include a ‘make ready’ depot for the cleaning and re-stocking of ambulances, as well as an education centre and a hub for the Trust’s Cycle Response Unit.
Richard Davies, the Trust’s Assistant Director of Capital and Estates, said: “One of our key priorities as an organisation is to ensure our people have access to facilities that are safe, well maintained and fit-for-purpose and which allow them to serve communities to the best of their ability.
“A move to the Minaeron complex also presents the perfect opportunity to work more closely with our health board colleagues, with whom we already have an excellent working relationship, and we’re grateful for their support in progressing this exciting project.”
Peter Skitt, Hywel Dda University Health Board’s County Director for Ceredigion, said: “This development is a fantastic opportunity for a more integrated and sustainable approach for the people of Ceredigion.
“It allows our teams to work more closely together and deliver a more seamless approach to the delivery of our services.
“We very much look forward to the completion and to working more closely with our Welsh Ambulance Service colleagues.”
Swansea-based Edmunds Webster Ltd is undertaking the refurbishment, which has meant the demolition of external walls and internal partitions to pave way for the new facility.
