St John taps into camper features

Side doors ease loading of patients. Photo / Supplied

What do ambulances and campervans have in common?

Plenty, for the Order of St John, which has contracted campervan manufacturers Motek Vehicle Specialists to build a new range of ambulances.

The ambulances have the same shape as a campervan, and one vehicle will be on the road from the end of this month.

St John operations director Michael Brooke said the new ambulances would make it much easier for paramedics to do their job.

"For our staff, this is their office. Getting it right for them is really important."

Innovations include a side entry so patients can be loaded into the ambulance from the footpath rather than the road.

An improved swivel seat that enables paramedics to strap in safely and still reach patients and equipment was also installed.

"It's a better layout to work in, roomier inside and saved us a bit of money too," Brooke said.

The organisation needs at least 35 new ambulances a year to ensure it can replace older vehicles.

Motek business manager Chris Devoy said one of the biggest innovations was reducing noise so the driver could talk to the paramedic treating a patient.