A TEMPORARY ambulance station has been set up at a private school in South Oxfordshire to help with the coronavirus outbreak.

E & T Medical, which usually provides health care support for film and television productions, is understood to have been asked to contribute its staff and ambulances to supporting the NHS over Covid-19.

The temporary station is due to begin operations tomorrow and has been set up at The Oratory School, in Woodcote, near Goring, with ambulance staff housed at the school.

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A statement from the school, which is currently teaching entirely remotely due to the Covid-19 outbreak, confirmed the company had been approached by the NHS and had initially asked the school for just a base, which would have been 'completely self-sufficient' but that mobile accommodation fell through and residential accommodation at the school was requested.

It added: "Norris (boarding) House was identified as being big enough to accommodate the ambulance staff.

"A risk assessment was carried out and the staff residents informed."

The school said 13 ambulances and crews arrived on April 1 and a further seven were on standby to be called up, adding operations were delayed because of the need for the renewal of 'certain compliance requirements' due to the change in arrangements; they were due to be completed today and operations are expected to start tomorrow.

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It added: "The contract requires daily decontamination and the Health Centre has been prepared as an isolation area if any crew members test positive.

"Segregation arrangements are in place to minimise the risk to residents."

E & T Medical was contacted but said enquires needed to go to South Central Ambulance Service’s press office.

When SCAS was contacted for more information it said it was not aware of the new station being part of support for its operations.