Alton Ambulance Station

July – August 2017

Onaek were commissioned by South Central Ambulance Service (S.C.A.S.) to design and project manage the conversion of an industrial unit to form a new ambulance station in Alton, Hampshire.

SCAS had been served notice by their previous landlord to vacate their previous premises and at very short notice required a combined pre-acquisition survey and feasibility study on the proposed new premises. Once the client had confirmation that the landlord would attend to some minor defects and roofing repair works identified in our survey the design work for the new station commenced. Onaek undertook the mechanical and electrical design work in addition to the general building work and also included the Principal Designer role as defined in the CDM 2015 Regulations. This one stop shop made the whole process seamless and provided S.C.A.S. with a clear and simple pathway to achieving a successful project.

Working closely with the Estates Management team and the Clinical Operations Management team Onaek designed an outstanding new facility. Internal garaging had a capacity for six ambulances with an external forecourt also with capacity for two further vehicles in addition to staff parking. Internally new accessible changing facilities were provided with staff kitchens provided on ground and first floors. A large crew room was formed and spacious meeting rooms and offices made up the remainder of the facility. The overall layout had to be strategically planned to ensure that the paramedics could quickly and safely reach the ambulances within specified times.

The construction work was delivered on time within the planned five week contract period which included a carefully managed phased handover during the fifth week which was due to the short timeframe available. The final cost of the construction works was circa £100,000 which was within the tender awarded sum.

Overall S.C.A.S. were delighted with the new facility which was delivered on time and on budget despite challenging circumstances due to the late notice of the closure of the old ambulance station.