Medirek covers film, TV and commercial productions at or near Reading, Berkshire, from its base in Alfold, Surrey. Cover is matched to the production's risk, from a single set medic to higher-level clinicians, ambulance cover, RAMS and tech recces, water safety and fire cover.
Reading is a large town on the Thames and Kennet, with Shinfield Studios, Arborfield Studios and Parkside Studios (formerly Winnersh Film Studios) close by.
Filming in Reading: locations and permits
Reading offers urban streets, offices, riverside and transport locations, and the studios to its south and east make it a hub for productions along the M4. Commercials and quick-turnaround shoots are common, so cover often needs to be booked at short notice and scaled to the day.
Who gives permission: the Berkshire Film Office acts as a free hub for filming requests in Reading and the rest of Berkshire, helping productions complete the right council paperwork. It asks for applications at least 10 working days before filming, and Reading Borough Council grants permission for its land.
Sources: Berkshire Film Office
Production safety and RAMS in Reading
Permit bodies and landowners in Reading commonly ask for a risk assessment, and some ask for full risk assessments and method statements. Medirek's production safety advisors can attend your tech recce, write production-specific RAMS you can submit with your applications, and provide an on-site safety manager, plus water safety and fire cover teams where the shoot needs them. Because the same team plans the medical cover, the RAMS and the medical plan match.
Hazards we plan for in Reading
- Urban traffic and public
- Riverside locations
- Studio builds and rigging
- Short-notice schedules
Medirek looks at these at the tech recce and builds them into the medical plan, including access for an ambulance and the route to the nearest emergency department.
What Medirek provides in Reading
Unit and set medics
Staff are DBS checked, uniformed and hold relevant, recognised qualifications, ranging from FREC 3, FREC 4, ECA and RTACC through to HCPC-registered paramedics and nurses, with doctors where the risk calls for it.
Stunt and action cover
Higher-level clinicians for stunts, vehicle action and SFX, planned with your stunt coordinator.
Ambulance cover and conveyance
Arranged where the risk assessment calls for it. Medirek has 4×4-capable response vehicles for remote and off-road locations.
Health and safety, RAMS, tech recce
Production-specific risk assessments and method statements for your Reading locations, informed by a tech recce.
Water safety
Bankside responders and in-water safety staff in full PPE for non-swift water.
Fire cover
Fire prevention advice and rapid intervention teams for SFX, pyrotechnics and builds.
Insured and clinically governed
Strict clinical governance, overseen by a GMC-registered Medical Director and a clinical team including paramedics and frontline medical staff, for consistent care. Insured with £2m medical malpractice and £10m public liability.
Confidential and responsive
Staff work under production NDAs and confidentiality. We endeavour to help all productions, including last-minute requests where possible.
Getting to Reading
The typical route from Medirek's base in Alfold, Surrey, is via the M25 and M4. Unit base, call times and rendezvous points are agreed when cover is booked. We endeavour to help all productions, including last-minute requests where possible.
Frequently asked questions
Can you provide a medic at short notice for a Reading shoot?
Tell Medirek your dates as early as you can. Cover is arranged to suit your schedule and risk.
Do you cover productions at Shinfield, Arborfield and Winnersh?
Medirek covers productions at and near these studios. Listing them does not mean Medirek has worked there.
Who handles filming permits in Reading?
The Berkshire Film Office acts as a hub for Berkshire filming requests and helps with the council paperwork. Reading Borough Council grants permission for its land.
Can you provide a production safety advisor for a shoot in Reading?
Yes. Medirek's production safety advisors can attend the tech recce in Reading, write production-specific risk assessments and method statements for your permit applications, and provide an on-site safety manager, water safety and fire cover, alongside or separate from medical cover.
More filming locations nearby
Further reading: The most filmed towns and counties in the South and South East