Medirek covers film, TV and commercial productions at or near Eastbourne, Sussex, 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.
Eastbourne sits between the sea and the South Downs, with an unspoilt Victorian promenade, a pier, open downland and chalk cliffs at Beachy Head.
Filming in Eastbourne: locations and permits
Eastbourne's promenade, pier, downland and chalk cliffs suit coastal, period and commercial work, and the nearby Seven Sisters have appeared in Atonement and Wicked. Cliff-top and downland locations are exposed, with edges, wind and long walks from vehicles, so edge control and casualty extraction need to be planned.
Who gives permission: filming in Eastbourne is handled by the Sussex Film Office. Eastbourne's downland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the use of drones and other powered model aircraft there is not permitted under byelaw.
Sources: Visit Eastbourne: Film Unit; Sussex Film Office: permits; Sussex Film Office: Sussex locations you might recognise
Production safety and RAMS in Eastbourne
Permit bodies and landowners in Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne
- Cliff edges at Beachy Head
- Exposed downland and weather
- Promenade public and traffic
- No drones on the downland
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 Eastbourne
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 Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne
The typical route from Medirek's base in Alfold, Surrey, is via the A23 and A27. 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 shoot near Beachy Head?
Yes. Medirek can plan cliff-top cover, including edge controls, exposure and how a casualty would be extracted.
Can we fly a drone over Eastbourne's downland?
Visit Eastbourne says the use of drones and other powered model aircraft is not permitted on its downland under byelaw, because it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Who handles filming permits in Eastbourne?
The Sussex Film Office handles filming in Eastbourne.
Can you provide a production safety advisor for a shoot in Eastbourne?
Yes. Medirek's production safety advisors can attend the tech recce in Eastbourne, 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