Double boost to east Kaipara St John services

 

BY JULIA WADE

Receiving a double positive boost in the last month means more legs and wheels on local ground for St John emergency services, a welcome move to help improve the organisations response time in east Kaipara. 

The beginning of July saw seven additional paid ambulance officers recruited to the Otamatea region, which includes Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka and Mangawhai. A fleet of 14 Volkswagen First Response Units (FRU) specifically designed to support New Zealand’s rural and remote communities debuted in the country at an Auckland launch event on July 11, with one vehicle now housed at Maungaturoto station. A further 60 vehicles will be rolled out nationally over the next two to three years. 

St John Assistant Director of Operations, Tony Devanney, says it is vital that community volunteers, who are the mainstay of rural and remote emergency response, are provided with flexibility when donating their valuable time. 

“The FRU’s have ample room for treating and stabilising patients while a transporting ambulance is on the way, ensuring the best possible clinical care for our patients,” he says. “These fit-for-purpose vehicles are smaller and nimbler than a traditional ambulance and ideal for narrow roads, difficult terrain and St John first responders working outside metropolitan areas.” 

Contributions from generous donors have made the delivery of the Otamatea vehicle possible thanks to the philanthropy of Auckland couple George and Laura Chan, their third funding of a vehicle for St John in three years. 

“Fundraising is essential to getting this new fleet on the road,” Devanney says. “We want to acknowledge those donors who have given so generously to their communities.”

Although volunteers still play a critical role in providing ambulance services in the area, having paid staff in Otamatea means the ambulance will not only be available 24/7, ensuring patients get the best available care, but will also enhance the safety and wellbeing of staff. 

New Zealand was the only first world ambulance service still operating with single-crews until the Government announced an increase in funding in May 2017 to gradually end the practise over a period of four years. 

St John chief executive Peter Bradley says ending single-crewing is one of the most significant developments in our ambulance service history.

“Double-crewing benefits patients, especially in rural areas, as it means they receive clinical care while being driven to hospital and also makes the job safer for our ambulance officers by reducing fatigue, manual handling injuries and stress.”
With the combination of the new FRU and new recruits, a positive impact has already been noticed says St John territory manager Blake Murray. 

"We’ve employed a fantastic group of people and they’re making a real difference. We're very excited to be able to add so much additional resource in Otamatea.”

Laura and George Chan generously donated Maungaturoto’s new First Response Unit. Especially designed for rural terrain, the unit will enhance emergency response times for isolated communities. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

“These fit-for-purpose vehicles are smaller and nimbler than a traditional ambulance and ideal for narrow roads, difficult terrain and St John first responders working outside metropolitan areas.”