St John calls for 10 new ambulances

Normally on the other end of a call for help, St John is now appealing for donations towards a new fleet of ambulances in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an effort to cope with the challenges of the health crisis, St John has moved forward by a year its campaign to fund 10 new ambulances. The service experienced an increase in callouts to minor medical issues as general practices shut their doors through the pandemic lockdown.

Coupled with the need for additional protective equipment, pressure has been piling up, Manawatu¯ regional operational manager Steve Yanko said. A normal winter was hectic enough because of influenza and related illnesses, he said. ‘‘You put Covid on that and yes, that develops more complexity becausewe’re in a different environment now where we have to consider PPE, and that means jobs take a bit longer and are more complex.’’

There was huge reliance of fundraising to offset increased demand. ‘‘We pay $100,000-plus for an ambulance and the equipment you need in it is not cheap, and to find that out of our operational costs is very difficult.’’

Ten new ambulances are needed in New Zealand, with one already donated by ASB bank. Where they will be stationed has

‘‘We pay $100,000plus for an ambulance and the equipment you need in it is not cheap, and to find that out of our operational costs is very difficult.’’

Steve Yanko

St John’smanawatu¯ regional operational manager

not yet been released.

In the wider Manawatu¯, three ambulances are run during the day and two overnight in Palmerston North and Levin, with one 24/7 ambulance each for Dannevirke, taki, Feilding and Foxton.

St John is also expected to request $200,000 from Palmerston North City Council to go towards a $600,000 ambulance station near its existing Cuba St building. The two-bay garage with staff facilities will be built on sections St John owns on Willis St.

Funding from the Health Ministry and ACC covers 72 per cent of St John’s operating costs, not including infrastructure.

Donations to St John can be made at stjohn.org.nz.