‘First Response’ trial pleases DHB and St John

Media release:

‘First Response’ trial pleases DHB and St John

23 November 2010

Residents of South Wairarapa have benefited from the introduction of a St John after-hours First Response service, with crews despatched to 73 incidents in the last 4 months.

The service was created in July following community representations to Wairarapa DHB to trial a first-response service in the south. The service involves St John qualified personnel in South Wairarapa responding to emergency calls after hours and initiating treatment, pending the arrival of a Wairarapa DHB ambulance. The First Response crew are able to update Wairarapa DHB crews on the status of a patient so they are better prepared on their arrival for patient hand-over and subsequent treatment during transport.

“In all cases, the St John First Response crew have been able to contribute positively to the process of assisting in the delivery of care of patients,” says Andrew Bos, Wairarapa DHB Community & Ambulatory Services Manager .

St John Regional Operations Manager Grant Pennycook agrees that communities are getting the best of both worlds with this arrangement.

“Local St John members feel as though they are able to contribute positively when local residents need help most,” he says. “And there is the added benefit that once the Wairarapa DHB ambulance crew arrives, the St John First Response crew is released to respond to another call should that be required.”

Wairarapa DHB ambulance crews provide St John First Response crews with replacement supplies, meaning they can immediately respond again following each call. St John currently covers the crews and running costs of its Featherston based vehicle. The Martinborough and District Community Ambulance Trust covers the running costs of the Martinborough vehicle.

The arrangement has worked well for both the DHB and St John and the trial has been extended through until April 2011. “Continuation of the trial will provide more certainty over the busy summer months and will also allow more data to evaluate the trial, to ensure that the arrangements in place are working to everyone’s advantage,” says Grant.

“This model has the potential for the people of the Wairarapa to have the best arrangements in place to assist in their time of need, but we need to ensure that we maintain and develop the model in ways that are both of value to the patient and sustainable,” says Andrew.

As always, ambulance services are reliant on volunteers, with both organisations offering excellent training opportunities for those interested in serving.

If you are interested in becoming a St John first-response volunteer in south Wairarapa, visit the St John web-site www.stjohn.org.nz or phone 0800 785 646 during normal office hours.
If you are interested in becoming a Wairarapa Ambulance Service volunteer based in Masterton or Greytown, phone 06 378 0278 for more information.

Ends

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