The PRIME (Primary Response In Medical Emergencies) programme is funded by the Ministry of Health and ACC, and administered by St John. It was developed to provide a coordinated response and appropriate management of emergencies in rural locations.

The programme uses the skills of specially trained rural GPs and/or rural nurses to support the St John ambulance service in areas where response times may be longer than usual, or where more specialised medical skills would assist the patient’s condition.

How does PRIME work?
A PRIME practitioner carries a pager and is mobilised by the Clinical Control Centre Teamfollowing an emergency call. The PRIME programme activates the practitioner on a local roster system. The roster is organised so that someone is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  PRIME practitioners carry a PRIME medical kit to ensure they’re suitable equipped for the situations they’re likely to encounter.

PRIME’s objectives:

• Support the St John ambulance service in rural communities where distance can be a challenge
• Provide a rapid response to seriously ill or injured people
• Provide a higher level of medical skills than may otherwise be available from the ambulance service

PRIME practitioners are initially required to complete a PRIME training course. Then every two years they need to update their skills with refresher training for trauma and medical emergencies. PRIME training and refresher courses are provided by St John.

Gain information on schedules for PRIME courses and enter the PRIME log in >>