Secamb: Revolutionising Ambulance Services with 'Make Ready' and EV Trials

The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, often referred to as Secamb, is a vital component of the UK's emergency healthcare infrastructure. Serving a vast and diverse population across the South East coast, Secamb is dedicated to providing timely and effective emergency medical assistance. Beyond the immediate response to 999 calls, the Trust is actively engaged in strategic initiatives to enhance its operational capabilities, improve patient outcomes, and embrace sustainable practices. At the heart of these advancements lies the ambitious "Make Ready" programme and forward-thinking trials of electric vehicles (EVs), signalling a significant shift in how ambulance services are delivered.

Who is south east coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust? — South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is a part of the National Health Service (NHS). Welcome to our service.

Table

Understanding Secamb's Operational Structure
The 'Make Ready' System: A Paradigm Shift in Vehicle Preparation
Trial of Electric Vehicles (EVs): A Commitment to Sustainability
Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Transparency
Comparative Table: Traditional vs. Make Ready System
Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Secamb's Operational Structure

Secamb operates with a sophisticated network designed to maximise efficiency and response times. The Trust manages two primary Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), the nerve centres where all emergency 999 calls are received and expertly dispatched. These EOCs are crucial in coordinating the immediate response to life-threatening situations. Complementing these central hubs are 117 other sites strategically located throughout their operational area. These sites serve various functions, from housing ambulance crews and vehicles to providing essential support services, ensuring a widespread and responsive presence across the region.

The 'Make Ready' System: A Paradigm Shift in Vehicle Preparation

The "Make Ready" system represents a fundamental redesign of how ambulance vehicles are prepared and maintained. Traditionally, frontline ambulance crews would undertake the tasks of cleaning, restocking, and basic maintenance of their vehicles. This often meant valuable time was diverted from patient care to these essential, yet non-clinical, duties. The Make Ready programme aims to alleviate this burden by introducing specialist teams and dedicated facilities to handle these responsibilities.

What is 'Make Ready'?

At its core, 'Make Ready' is a comprehensive vehicle preparation system. Specialist teams are employed to meticulously clean, thoroughly restock, and diligently maintain every ambulance. This includes deep cleaning processes, rigorous swabbing for micro-organisms such as MRSA and CDiff, and ensuring each vehicle is consistently stocked to a standardised specification. Equipment is regularly checked and serviced to guarantee operational readiness. A key benefit of this system is the reduction in the risk of vehicle breakdowns, as on-site vehicle maintenance experts are available to conduct routine checks and immediate repairs.

The Role of Make Ready Centres

Make Ready Centres are purpose-built or converted facilities where this specialised vehicle preparation takes place. These centres are strategically located based on factors such as proximity to major A&E departments and anticipated demand. By positioning Make Ready Centres near key hospitals, Secamb aims to reduce travel times for ambulances that require restocking, cleaning, or ending a shift after attending an A&E. This logistical advantage ensures that vehicles are swiftly prepared for their next deployment, minimising downtime.

Ambulance Community Response Posts: Enhancing Crew Efficiency

Under the Make Ready system, ambulance crews will begin and end their shifts at the Make Ready Centres. From these centres, they are then deployed to Ambulance Community Response Posts. These posts are strategically located within the community, chosen to ensure the quickest possible response to patients. An Ambulance Community Response Post is more than just a staging point; it provides essential rest facilities for crews between emergencies, typically accommodating one crew at a time. The siting of these posts is paramount, with locations carefully matched to patient demand to ensure maximum reach and rapid assistance when it is needed most.

What is an ambulance community response post? — An ambulance community response post is a place which provides rest facilities for staff between emergencies. They normally accommodate one crew at any one time. The locations for the response posts have been strategically matched with patient demand to ensure we reach as many people as quickly as possible.

Impact on Existing Ambulance Stations

The implementation of the Make Ready system and the establishment of new response posts naturally raise questions about the future of traditional ambulance stations. Many existing stations were built decades ago and may not be optimally located for current response needs. Secamb's objective is to position vehicles and crews where the public requires them, thereby improving patient outcomes and response times. Decisions regarding the closure or disposal of existing stations are made on an individual basis. Some well-located stations might be repurposed as Ambulance Community Response Posts, ensuring their continued contribution to patient care. For areas where stations may close, the Trust anticipates establishing response posts in more strategic locations, potentially increasing the number of response points rather than decreasing them, especially in areas with high demand.

Crucially, the Trust assures that the closure and disposal of any station will only occur once a suitable Ambulance Community Response Post is operational in its place, safeguarding and enhancing service provision throughout the transition.

Trial of Electric Vehicles (EVs): A Commitment to Sustainability

Secamb is at the forefront of adopting greener technologies within the ambulance service. The Trust is currently trialling three fully-electric vehicles (EVs), specifically Mercedes-Benz e-Vitos. These Single Responder Vehicles (SRVs) will be based at three Secamb sites: Polegate, Thanet, and Gatwick. This initiative is part of a broader NHS England zero-emission project, underscoring Secamb's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future for emergency services.

The introduction of EVs is a significant step towards environmental responsibility. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, Secamb aims to lower its emissions, improve air quality in the communities it serves, and contribute to the national effort to combat climate change. This trial is a testament to the Trust's forward-thinking approach, exploring how innovative technology can be integrated into frontline emergency response without compromising on efficiency or effectiveness.

Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Transparency

The introduction of significant operational changes like the Make Ready system naturally prompts questions and concerns. Secamb has proactively addressed several key points:

Will Response Times Suffer?

While any new system requires an adaptation period, Secamb anticipates that the Make Ready system will ultimately improve response times. By freeing up clinical staff from vehicle preparation duties, they can dedicate more time to patient care. The strategic placement of Make Ready Centres and Response Posts is designed to optimise deployment and reduce transit times.

Is This Just About Saving Money?

Secamb emphasizes that patient safety is paramount. The Make Ready system is viewed as a vehicle for both enhanced patient care and a safer, cleaner treatment environment. While the Trust has invested £55 million in the Make Ready system, the sale of surplus stations is necessary to recoup costs and ensure the financial sustainability of these vital improvements. The primary driver is improved service delivery, not solely cost reduction.

How many Emergency Operations Centres does the south east coast ambulance service have? — The South East Coast Ambulance Service has 2 sites which house the Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) where 999 calls are received. They also have 117 other sites in which services are delivered from.

Will There Be Job Losses?

The Trust has stated that the number of operational staff will remain the same. The changes are focused on reallocating tasks to specialist teams, allowing clinical staff to concentrate more fully on treating patients. This restructuring aims to enhance the effectiveness of the existing workforce.

Public Consultation

Secamb concluded that the introduction of Make Ready Centres did not constitute a significant change in service delivery that would mandate a formal public consultation. However, the Trust is committed to transparency and ongoing engagement, planning a programme of events to share their plans and gather feedback from the public and stakeholders.

Comparative Table: Traditional vs. Make Ready System

Comparison of Ambulance Vehicle Preparation
Feature	Traditional System	Make Ready System
Cleaning & Restocking	Undertaken by frontline clinical crews	Handled by specialist teams at Make Ready Centres
Vehicle Maintenance	Basic checks by crews; external repairs	On-site experts for routine checks and maintenance
Staff Focus	Clinical duties and vehicle preparation	Primary focus on direct patient care
Vehicle Readiness	Dependent on crew availability and time	Ensured through dedicated teams and standardised processes
Hygiene Standards	Variable, relies on crew diligence	High, with rigorous deep cleaning and micro-organism testing
Response Post Locations	Primarily existing ambulance stations	Strategically located based on patient demand

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the primary goal of the 'Make Ready' system?
The primary goal is to increase the time frontline staff spend treating patients by centralising and professionalising the vehicle preparation process.

Q2: How many Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) does Secamb have?
Secamb has two main Emergency Operations Centres.

Q3: Are Secamb trialling electric ambulances?
Yes, Secamb is trialling three fully-electric Mercedes-Benz e-Vitos as part of an NHS England zero-emission project.

Are EVs being trialled by the ambulance service? — The first of three fully-electric vehicles (EVs) being trialled by an ambulance service is to take to the roads in the coming days. The single responder vehicles (SRVs) will initially be based out of three South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) sites in Polegate, Thanet and Gatwick.

Q4: What is an Ambulance Community Response Post?
It is a location providing rest facilities for ambulance crews between responding to emergencies, strategically placed to ensure rapid patient access.

Q5: Will my local ambulance station definitely close?
Decisions on station closures are made on an individual basis. Some stations may be repurposed as response posts if they are well-located.

Q6: Does the 'Make Ready' system aim to save money?
While efficiency gains are expected, the primary focus is on patient safety and improved care. Financial sustainability is supported by reinvestment and the sale of surplus assets.

Q7: Will introducing 'Make Ready' lead to job losses?
No, the number of operational staff is expected to remain the same. The system reallocates tasks, not personnel.

Secamb's strategic initiatives, including the Make Ready system and the adoption of electric vehicles, demonstrate a clear vision for the future of emergency medical services. By prioritising efficiency, safety, and sustainability, the Trust is positioning itself to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the South East coast community effectively.

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