Hato Hone St John is pleased to announce the introduction of a 24/7 ambulance service operating out of Doubtless Bay, strengthening emergency ambulance responses across the Far North district.
The new service, launched on 2 June, is crewed by paid staff following a review of ambulance coverage across Northland by Hato Hone St John and is part of a wider programme to improve access to urgent and emergency healthcare for rural communities.
The new service model provides emergency ambulance coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, expanding on the previous 12 hours a day, seven days a week service model. It will respond to emergency incidents throughout the district, including Kāeo and surrounding communities.
Leigh Knightbridge, Hato Hone St John Far North Area Operations Manager, says the additional hours of ambulance coverage reflect both increasing demand for emergency ambulance services and the unique challenges of delivering care across one of New Zealand's largest rural and geographically dispersed districts.
"Having a 24/7 emergency ambulance based in Doubtless Bay has significantly strengthened our ability to respond to emergencies across the Far North," says Ms Knightbridge.
"The improved response capability is already delivering benefits well beyond the local community. It has reduced pressure on frontline crews in neighbouring areas, enabling resources to be deployed more efficiently and strengthening emergency ambulance coverage across the wider Northland region."
Since 2 June, the new service expansion has enabled Hato Hone St John to respond to 111 incidents in the district and is now responding, on average, to 2.6 incidents a day. The team has also seen a significant improvement in responding to high-priority rural emergencies within 12 minutes, up from 33.8% to 44.4%. The most common reason for calling for an ambulance included breathing problems, chest pain, falls/back injuries and abdominal pain.
The 24/7 doubled-crewed service in Doubtless Bay complements the invaluable work of dedicated ambulance volunteers, who play a vital role in boosting response capability. This volunteer workforce contributes more than $100 million in value each year, providing timely emergency care particularly in rural and remote communities.
The increase from 12-hour to 24-hour ambulance coverage in Doubtless Bay forms part of Hato Hone St John's ongoing commitment to ensuring people living in rural and remote communities have timely access to high-quality emergency ambulance care, wherever and whenever it is needed.
ENDS
About Hato Hone St John:
- Hato Hone St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90 percent of people in New Zealand across 97 percent of the country.
- Hato Hone St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid staff and volunteers.
- Along with the emergency ambulance service, Hato Hone St John operates a significant number of community health programmes and other activities which help build community resilience. They include Waka Ora Health Shuttles, ASB Caring Caller, St John Youth, and St John in Schools.
- Hato Hone St John also delivers event health services, medical alarm services, first aid training, and operates retail stores across the country.
For further information please contact:
Hato Hone St John media team
PH: 0800 756 334 | E: media@stjohn.org.nz
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