NHS workers will have a new £6.5million base to work from when a multi-purpose ambulance centre opens in the summer.

Ambulance crews working out of the centre in Star Mill Lane, Chatham, are to move to the new building which is under construction in Bredgar Road, Gillingham.

All operations from Chatham are expected to move by June 5.

They will then be joined by colleagues at the Trust's 111 contact centre in Ashford from June 28 and then the 999 contact teams in Coxheath will be the last to move over from September 13.

The new ambulance centre was given the green light in August 2020 and will be the first of its kind in the country to bring all three functions under one roof.

The Trust hopes the facility will deliver more integrated care and increase efficiency.

Ambulance crews will begin and end their shifts at the new centre, responding to calls as they come in.

They will then continue to work from response posts across the region where they will be able to rest between calls or while on a break.

However, staff based in Sheppey will continue to operate from the station on the island.

SECAmb executive director of operations Emma Williams said: “I’m really pleased that we are getting close to the point that the new centre will become operational.

"Our current buildings, including our Coxheath office, are outdated and no longer adequate for our requirements.

"Bringing our 999 and 111 services under one roof will ensure we further optimise functions between these services."

A "Make Ready" system – which involves specialist teams of staff employed to clean, restock and maintain the Trust’s fleet – will work from the new centre.

The initiative is designed to free up time for front-line workers to help care for and treat patients instead of cleaning, restocking or maintaining vehicles.

If a vehicle develops a fault or runs low on supplies, the crew can drive it back for maintenance and be issued another fully-stocked vehicle ready for use.

South East Ambulance Service has 10 Make Ready centres with the latest opening in Banstead, Surrey, in May 2022.

Emma continued: “The new Make Ready system is more efficient and the new building will provide staff with access to modern facilities for training.

"We do understand any change has an impact on staff and we will continue to fully engage with everyone affected ahead of the move.”