Medirek covers film, TV and commercial productions at or near Oxford, Oxfordshire, 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.
Oxford's colleges, libraries, spires and historic streets make it one of the most recognisable filming locations in the country.
Filming in Oxford: locations and permits
Oxford is used for period drama, university scenes and historic streets. The centre is busy with visitors, students, buses and cyclists, and many of the best-known buildings are private, so permissions, access and timings shape the shoot. Night work is common to avoid crowds, which adds fatigue, lighting and cold-weather risks.
Who gives permission: Oxford City Council's events team handles filming on city council land and asks for an application, a risk assessment and signed terms. Filming on public highways and footpaths is permitted by Oxfordshire County Council, which asks for a risk assessment and public liability insurance, and charges a higher daily rate on a list of premium central streets including Broad Street, Turl Street and Merton Street. Colleges and other private sites give their own permission.
Sources: Oxford City Council: filming on council land; Oxfordshire County Council: filming on the public highway (fees)
Production safety and RAMS in Oxford
Permit bodies and landowners in Oxford 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 Oxford
- Crowds, cyclists and buses
- Historic buildings and stairs
- Night shoots and fatigue
- Restricted vehicle access
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 Oxford
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 Oxford 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 Oxford
The typical route from Medirek's base in Alfold, Surrey, is via the M25, M40 and A40. 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 cover a night shoot in central Oxford?
Yes. Medirek can provide medics for night work, with a plan for fatigue, cold, lighting and members of the public.
Who permits filming on Oxford's streets?
Filming on public highways and footpaths in Oxford is permitted by Oxfordshire County Council. City council land is arranged with Oxford City Council's events team.
Can you supply the risk assessment both councils ask for?
Yes. Medirek can write production-specific risk assessments and method statements for your Oxford locations.
Can you provide a production safety advisor for a shoot in Oxford?
Yes. Medirek's production safety advisors can attend the tech recce in Oxford, 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