Hato Hone St John (HHStJ) ambulance service has experienced its busiest winter on record, with July and August marking the two heaviest months for ambulance callouts in the service’s history.
In August alone, HHStJ had over 50,000 ambulance incidents – the highest number ever recorded in a single month.
“Winter always brings additional pressures, but this year we’ve seen unprecedented demand,” says Rosanne Shaw, Acting DCE Ambulance Operations “We have seen a significant rise in respiratory-related emergencies. In the past year, ambulance crews responded to almost 6,000 cases of breathing difficulties, up 33% on the 12-month average.”
While ambulance demand has been soaring, HHStJ has also been helping to reduce pressure on hospital Emergency Departments (ED). Each day, around 350 patients who may otherwise go to EDs are instead either being safely managed at home, or are being referred to community health services, by our paramedics on scene or remotely by a team of health professionals via phone, using care pathways and telehealth support.
A key part of this effort has been the recent rollout of the Government-funded 24/7 online GP service, launched by Health New Zealand in mid-2025, which allows patients to book an appointment with a registered health professional for care that is not serious or life-threatening.
“This initiative is already proving its value,” says Dr Damian Tomic, DCE of Clinical Services. “It means patients get timely care that’s right for their needs, freeing up our ambulance crews to focus on the most urgent emergencies. It’s a win for patients, hospitals, and the wider health system. We are working on establishing referral pathways to the new service for patients who, following triage - do not require an ambulance.
"Making this initiative work in the long term will involve building strong connections with local providers. We have already begun engaging with them to establish clear and reliable referral pathways, and to explore how their services can best integrate with ours."
HHStJ is also urging the public to continue using all health services wisely – calling 111 for emergencies; Healthline, the 24/7 online GP service, for non-urgent issues; and their local GP or pharmacy where possible.
ENDS
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Hato Hone St John media team