New Hi-Tech Make Ready Centre Opens in Banstead
The South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has unveiled its brand-new Make Ready Centre in Banstead’s Horseshoe site — the former headquarters location. This is the Trust’s first new-build facility of its kind in Surrey.
State-of-the-Art Facilities for Ambulance Crews
The centre features a cutting-edge fleet workshop and SECAmb’s innovative Make Ready vehicle prep system. Alongside modern office spaces, staff will enjoy upgraded rest and wellbeing zones.
SECAmb’s Make Ready Centres employ specialist teams who clean, restock, and maintain the ambulance fleet, freeing frontline crews to focus on patient care. Banstead joins eight other centres in the region, following in the footsteps of the Brighton hub opened in late 2020.
Shift Changes and New Community Response Posts
Crews who previously started and ended their shifts at Epsom, Leatherhead, Redhill, Dorking, and Godstone stations will now operate from the Banstead centre. The change comes backed up by Ambulance Community Response Posts (ACRPs) located at current and new sites to maintain rapid response times.
ACRPs provide crews with essential rest facilities during breaks and between calls, ensuring continuous coverage across the area.
Modernising Surrey’s Ambulance Services
Several older ambulance stations are being sold or redeveloped, including Leatherhead, Redhill, Dorking, and Godstone. Response posts remain either on-site or close by, keeping services local and accessible.
- Redhill station sold but kept as response post till 2023, unless a replacement is found sooner.
- Leatherhead crews relocating this summer to a new response post on Kingston Road.
- Godstone station sold, with crews currently using the fire station and a new post opening at Oxted fire station this autumn.
Epsom and Dorking stations continue as response posts, with another supported at Surrey Fire and Rescue HQ in Reigate. Staff from Redhill will move into Banstead starting Monday, 16 May, with staggered shifts ramping up through the week.
Paul Fisher, SECAmb Operating Unit Manager for Gatwick & Redhill, said: “It’s fantastic to see the new centre fully operational. This modern facility aligns Surrey with how we operate across the region, including Gatwick. “The public can rest easy knowing we are maintaining services through response posts in existing and new locations. I’d like to thank everyone involved — we’re excited to welcome staff to their new base.”
What Exactly is Make Ready?
Make Ready Centres house expert teams who handle ambulance cleaning, restocking, and maintenance. The initiative boosts patient safety by reducing cross-infection risks and allows paramedics more time for life-saving work.
- Specialist teams deep-clean and inspect vehicles regularly.
- Ambulance Community Response Posts support crews with rest facilities and improve response times.
- Crews start and end shifts at Make Ready Centres with fully prepped vehicles.
- Training opportunities and management support are enhanced under this system.
