A NEW, state-of-the-art ambulance base costing £1million is now open in Warrington.

NHS Property Services has acquired the recently constructed Gemini station, which will be used by Connect North West Neonatal Transport Service.

Having been fully fitted-out, services form the base will be delivered by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network and St John’s Ambulance.

It will link more than 25 hospitals to care for thousands of babies every year, with station benefits including greater efficiency and flexibility, a timely repatriation of babies and improved ambulance response times.

NHS England identified the need for a new site, the ground floor of which houses four ambulances, an incubator service and storage area, deep clean facility, education room and quiet room.

A kitchen, changing rooms, showers and WCs were some of the improvements made for NHS colleagues.

The relocation will also free up valuable space at Liverpool Women's Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital, further benefiting patient care in the region.

Mark Lloyd, regional capital projects lead at NHS Property Services, said: “We are truly proud of this partnership and the many benefits the new site will bring for patients.

“It is projects such as this that underscore our commitment to supporting the NHS and enhancing healthcare infrastructure across the UK.”

The opening was also praised by Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson, group chief nurse at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, formerly of Warrington Hospital.

She added: “The new base marks great progression for maternity services, and it will be a huge benefit to more than 25 hospitals across the north west.

“It can be stressful for families when hospitals have to make the decision to transfer premature babies, but our incredible team of experts and highly specialised equipment means that this can be done in the safest way possible.

“Connect North West is vital in ensuring that more people in our surrounding regions, especially those in more remote areas, can be cared for as effectively as possible.”

A ribbon was cut at the ambulance station was cut by nine-year-old Alfie and his mother Beth Halliwell, with the Connect North West team saving his life aged just one day.

In 2015, Beth and her husband were excited to welcome their baby, but she was admitted to Tameside Hospital after suffering appendicitis and underwent an emergency c-section.

Alfie was born 11 weeks prematurely, and in critical situations such as his, sometimes babies must be transported to other hospitals to access high-level care.

Scans showed that he suffered a significant brain bleed, and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was four days old.

Beth has always praised the team of people who saved Alfie’s life, commenting: “We would always see the neo-natal ambulances near our house, which I used to find quite triggering.

“I wanted to be as honest as possible with him about his start in life, so I started to point to them and tell them it was his ambulance.”

This made a strong impression on Alfie as he went on to fundraise for the service, raising £650 in a sponsored swim, and with plans in the future for a sponsored hike.

Beth added: “We both went to drop off the cheque and I was finally able to thank everyone for what they did for us and my family.

“Everyone was so kind to us, caring and so clear in communicating in such stressful situations. We really owe them a lot.”

Kathy Cowell OBE, chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For seven years, our trust has proudly run Connect North West, which manages to care for more than 2,000 babies each year.

“Alfie is just one of many who have been supported by this transportation network, and it was so moving to hear of the profound impact that this has had on his and his mother’s life.”