Medirek covers film, TV and commercial productions at or near Shepperton, Surrey, 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.
Shepperton is best known for Shepperton Studios, and the surrounding borough of Spelthorne has the River Thames, riverside parks and towns within easy reach of the studio.
Filming in Shepperton: locations and permits
Productions based at Shepperton regularly shoot second-unit and location days nearby, using the Thames, riverside parks such as Laleham Park and Lammas Recreation Park in Staines, and towns such as Staines-upon-Thames and Sunbury. Riverside work brings water hazards, slippery banks and members of the public, and studio-based productions often need cover that switches between stage days, build and location work.
Who gives permission: Spelthorne Borough Council handles filming on its land and asks for at least two weeks' notice, public liability insurance of at least £5 million and a risk assessment. Filming on the public highway goes to the Surrey Film Office. Studio productions arrange on-lot work with the studio.
Sources: Spelthorne Borough Council: filming; Surrey Film Office (Surrey County Council)
Production safety and RAMS in Shepperton
Permit bodies and landowners in Shepperton 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 Shepperton
- River Thames banks and moorings
- Members of the public in riverside parks
- Studio builds and rigging
- Busy roads around the studio
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 Shepperton
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 Shepperton 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 Shepperton
The typical route from Medirek's base in Alfold, Surrey, is via the A3 and M25. 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 set medics for a Shepperton-based production?
Yes. Medirek covers productions at and near Shepperton Studios, on stage, on build and on location days.
Can you provide water safety on the Thames?
Yes, for non-swift water. Medirek can input into the water risk assessment and provide bankside responders and in-water safety staff in full PPE.
What does Spelthorne ask for before filming?
Spelthorne Borough Council asks for at least two weeks' notice, evidence of at least £5 million public liability insurance, and a risk assessment. Medirek can write the risk assessment for you.
Can you provide a production safety advisor for a shoot in Shepperton?
Yes. Medirek's production safety advisors can attend the tech recce in Shepperton, 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