St John looks forward to funding boost for ambulance

St John welcomes Health Minister Tony Ryall’s comments to media yesterday that a funding increase for ambulance services could be confirmed in the near future, St John Operations Director Tony Blaber said today.

 

“We appreciate the government’s focus on ambulance services,” Mr Blaber said.

 

The three areas identified by St John as priorities for additional government funding are:

· increasing the number of frontline St John ambulance officers

· providing additional resources for clinical education of our ambulance officers, and

· improving our ability to fully crew ambulances.

 

“Any government funding increase would be used to improve frontline capability and resources to best serve the people of New Zealand,” Mr Blaber said.

 

“In addition, St John will continue fundraising in partnership with communities to meet our shortfall in ambulance operations funding, which this year is projected to be more than $10 million, as well as our purchases of vehicles and life-saving equipment.”

 

“St John is a charity and relies on donations from the public to provide our full range of services, including to pay for our ambulance stations and ambulances.”

 

“We would like to take this opportunity to encourage members of the public to support St John. There are a range of ways to support St John including making donations or a bequest, or joining our St John Supporter scheme,” Mr Blaber said.

 

Members of the public are also strongly encouraged to volunteer for St John. By becoming a volunteer ambulance officer, you support your local ambulance service and your local community.