Thursday, November 23, 2017
Sven Carlsson
WHILE single-crewed ambulances are set to be phased out in Whakatane next month, it’s too early to say when it will happen in Opotiki – except it will be within four years.
In May 2017, the Government announced increased funding to gradually end the single crewing of emergency ambulances in New Zealand over the next four years.
St John Ambulance chief executive Peter Bradley said New Zealand was the only first-world ambulance service with single-crewed ambulance responses, with 100 of those taking place each day across the country.
“Ending single crewing is one of the most significant developments in our ambulance service history,” he said.
“Double crewing will benefit patients, especially in rural areas where it means they will receive clinical care while they’re being driven to hospital – something that couldn’t be done with single crewing.”
Double crewing would also make the job safer for the ambulance officers, helping to reduce fatigue, manual handling injuries and stress.
“Since the announcement, St John has been working with local communities and our people on the ground to find the best approach in each area,” Mr Bradley said.
“It will also take time to recruit and train the extra 430 people and the staggered funding recognises it will be a four-year job.”
Mr Bradley said St John was reviewing each station across the country.
“One size does not fit all and we’re talking with local communities and our people on the ground to find the best approach in each area,” he said.
It’s understood the number of single-crewed call-outs for each station is a factor when determining where resources are allocated first.
In Whakatane, paramedic Linda English said ending single crewing was one of the most significant developments for Whakatane paramedics.
“It’s a move that will save more lives and make it safer for all our crews,” she said. “We’ll be in a better to position to assess, treat and deal with all the challenges of day-to-day emergency work.
“It’s an exciting change we are all looking forward to.”
Volunteers still needed
ST JOHN territory manager Richard Waterson said volunteers played a critical role in providing ambulance services in Opotiki and the Eastern Bay, and that this will continue in future.
“If Opotiki residents are interested in volunteering, please visit the join.stjohn.org.nz website or email me on richard.waterson@stjohn.org.nz,” he said.
“The increased funding allows us to phase out single crewing and meet expected growth in demand, but St John will still need to fund about 25 per cent of its costs.”
That quarter of the funding was achieved through donations, income from part charges and commercial activities like medical alarms.
“That figure’s currently about $54 million but will grow steadily as the service expands and in five years, we’ll be looking to raise close to $70 million a year above the funding from government to maintain services and programmes,” Mr Waterson said.