Stepnell centralises South Western Ambulance Service with new Dorset Main Operating Base
CLIENT: South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
SECTOR Healthcare
VALUE: £2.1m
COMPLETION: Autumn 2025
Project overview
Stepnell has successfully delivered a new Main Operating Base (MOB) in Dorset for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), providing a central regional hub to support emergency services across Dorset and the wider South West.
The completed, purpose-built facility forms part of SWASFT’s long-term programme to modernise healthcare infrastructure, which includes a wider network of main operating bases, ambulance stations and community ambulance points.
The brief
SWASFT required a modern, strategically designed facility that could consolidate operations, improve efficiency and support new ways of working, while maintaining uninterrupted ambulance services throughout construction.
The MOB was designed to integrate multiple Trust departments and bring together staff and vehicle operations previously based at Bournemouth, Wimborne and St Leonards ambulance stations. The brief also prioritised improved welfare, training and operational support facilities for frontline staff.
Our solution
Drawing on extensive experience delivering healthcare infrastructure across the South West, Stepnell constructed a facility that supports both operational resilience and staff wellbeing.
The new MOB:
- Serves as a central hub for ambulance vehicle operations, including cleaning, re-stocking and maintenance
- Provides capacity for additional ambulances to support service growth
- Integrates Trust departments to streamline workflows and reduce non-clinical demands on frontline staff
- Delivers modern welfare and training facilities to support recruitment, retention and professional development
The strategic layout of the building reduces non-clinical workloads for clinical teams, enabling staff to focus more time on patient care and emergency response.
Added value
Alongside the delivery of a critical healthcare asset, Stepnell delivered comprehensive social value outcomes through local spend, employment opportunities and community engagement, ensuring the project creates a lasting positive impact for Dorset and surrounding communities.
The project was completed with no disruption to existing ambulance services, ensuring patients continued to receive seamless care throughout the transition to the new facility.
Outcome
The Dorset Main Operating Base strengthens SWASFT’s operational capability, improves response readiness and supports closer collaboration with local partners, helping to deliver faster, more effective emergency care for communities across the South West.
As part of a wider regional investment programme, the project plays a key role in future-proofing ambulance services and supporting the evolving needs of frontline healthcare delivery.
