St John - Here for Life

As an essential emergency service, we're continuing to operate our emergency ambulance operations and patient transfer services at all traffic light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

We would like to remind everyone that we continue to be there for all New Zealanders in an emergency.

With the arrival of Omicron into Aotearoa and its subsequent rapid surge, our emergency ambulance service is facing significant demand.

To help reduce pressure on our emergency ambulance service and health system, we are asking New Zealanders to please save 111 for emergencies. Non-emergency calls might include general health enquiries or requests for non-urgent assistance.

If you need non-urgent health advice, please contact Healthline (0800 611 116), your GP or local medical centre. For COVID-19 specific information, please visit covid19.govt.nz. If you are able, please consider alternative methods of transport to medical facilities for non-urgent conditions. Calling for an ambulance will not help you ‘jump the queue’ at hospital.

In a medical emergency please call 111 for an ambulance. Our ambulance officers will respond as soon as possible to life-threatening and time-critical emergencies.

What will happen when you call 111?
To find out what you can expect if you do need to call 111, watch this video.

 

Please see below the latest information to keep you updated on any changes to our services.

We are working very closely with the Ministry of Health and we recommend you follow their guidelines and advice about keeping yourself and others safe.

Visit covid19.govt.nz to learn the simple steps you can take to unite against COVID-19 and stop its spread.

As part of our comprehensive pandemic plan, we are prioritising:

  • Protecting our people (so we can continue to be there for the public).
  • Making sure we can maintain delivery of critical services.
  • Continuing to provide services to the community to the best of our ability.

Our Customer Service Centre continues to operate from Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm and Saturday 8.00am - 12.30pm.

Please contact our team by emailing info@stjohn.org.nz for any enquiries regarding community health services and first aid classes in your area.

Is the St John emergency ambulance service affected?

As an essential emergency service, St John is well positioned to respond to a pandemic like COVID-19.

We continue to step forward and provide emergency ambulance services throughout New Zealand under all COVID-19 alert levels. All 111 calls are triaged to determine the urgency of the patient's condition and we aim to send the most appropriate ambulance to the patient in greatest need as soon as possible.

When calling 111, our ambulance staff will continue to be there for all patients who require an ambulance response, including those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. This includes cases where resuscitation is needed, such as in a cardiac arrest. Our emergency ambulance service does not discriminate based on COVID-19 or vaccination status.

Before our ambulance staff enter the scene, they may ask you some COVID-19 related questions. It is important that you answer the questions to the best of your knowledge so our ambulance crews can take the appropriate steps to protect them and the public when they come to help you.

St John ambulance officers frequently deal with infectious diseases and to protect our patients and our people, we follow best practice clinical guidelines, including wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when attending patients known to have or are suspected of having COVID-19. 

Our ambulance officers are routinely wearing N95 masks, eye protection, and gloves for all patient interactions and changing these between patients.

Is there any impact on hospital Patient Transfer Services?

Just as the emergency ambulance service, St John continues to operate its patient transfer services at all traffic light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework. Our ambulance staff will continue to help all patients, regardless of vaccination status. There is no requirement to present your My Vaccine Pass.

Our drivers are following Ministry of Health guidelines to keep patients and themselves safe. This includes increased hygiene and cleaning in our vehicles such as wiping of seats, door handles and steering wheel.

Is my St John Medical Alarm affected?

Please be assured your medical alarm will continue to be monitored 24/7 at all traffic light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework. Please do activate your alarm if you require emergency assistance.

If a customer activates their medical alarm, we will continue to respond at all traffic light settings.

At red, orange and green light settings, our Telecare representatives will be visiting customers for all work types. Our representatives will determine the best approach to manage all requests, focusing on customer and staff safety.

Please note that our field representatives will be wearing masks at all traffic light settings should they need to visit you.

What about St John services at events?

St John Event Health Services are able to provide medical support throughout all traffic light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework, provided your business/event is legally able to operate and you are adhering to the relevant public health orders.

Due to a significant volume of events being postponed and rebooked at a later date, we ask that if you plan to hold an event within the next six months that you book as soon as possible. Please contact our customer admin team at eventhealthservices@stjohn.org.nz.

Can I still use St John Health Shuttles?

As a health organisation, St John is committed to playing our part to slow the community transmission of COVID-19. It is our aim to keep our Health Shuttles operating for the benefit of their local communities. Our priority is to protect the health and safety of our volunteers, staff, clients, and community so, from 8 February 2022, St John will be asking for our clients’ vaccination status at the time of booking a Health Shuttle trip. We will not deny access to our health shuttles based on vaccination status

Is St John still delivering its Community Care services?

St John Community Care Services will be operating as per usual at the green light setting under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

St John Community Care Services will be operating at red and orange light settings, at the discretion of clients including district health boards. The programmes impacted are:

  • Friends of the Emergency Departments (FEDs)
  • Hospital Friends
  • Community Carers
  • Therapy Pets

St John’s Caring Caller service will continue to operate at all traffic light settings. 

Is the St John Youth programme still running?

St John Youth divisions will continue to operate at all traffic light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

We will require vaccine passes for all eligible attendees and run our programmes according to Ministry of Health guidelines.

Please contact your local division for more information. 

Does St John still need donations and what would the funds go towards?

St John is a charity and only part-funded by Government. Our charitable status means we need to fundraise throughout the year to ensure our emergency ambulance service and community health programmes have the necessary resources to enable St John to be there for all New Zealanders.

We are grateful for the continued generosity of individuals and organisations who support us with donations, fundraising events, and by purchasing St John products and services. 

Will first aid be taught in schools?

St John’s community educators can deliver face-to-face lessons in schools at all traffic light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

All our educators are double vaccinated in adherence with the Health Order. At red and orange light settings St John community educators deliver face-to-face lessons with additional hygiene, face masks, and physical distancing, in consultation with schools.

St John’s community educators continue to offer virtual delivery for any schools or groups that would like that mode of delivery at any of the traffic light settings. 

Are face-to-face fundraising activities continuing?

Face-to-face fundraising will continue with CovidSAFE procedures in place to fundraise safely. Please read here for the PFRA (Public Fundraising Regulatory Association) CovidSAFE guidelines under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

St John will continue to work closely with our fundraising agency, Cornucopia, and the PFRA as to the best course of action under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

Are St John stores open?

All St John stores will be open at all traffic light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

To keep our people and our customers safe, physical distancing is being observed in all our stores and customers are expected to scan in using the NZ COVID Tracer app and wear a face covering.

All St John stores across the country are adhering to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidelines for businesses.

St John thanks the public for their continued support for our stores. Proceeds from our stores go towards funding essential community health initiatives delivered by St John.