"The increase isn't so much due to an increase in population but to the older demographic we now have," she said. "People are living in the community for longer, meaning there are a lot more people living at home with significant health issues."
The service had adapted its services as a result, she said.
"We're treating a lot more people at home or taking them to a GP or other support service.
"Some days it can be difficult when there are emergencies everywhere and someone could have waited or perhaps gone to hospital by other means but you can't plan for people."
St John added another vehicle and took on seven more paid staff in Rotorua last year to cope with the demand, she said.
"We're constantly moving resources into areas where the need is greatest. We want every ambulance to go out with at least two crew members on board, but at the moment about 90 per cent of them are.
"We're always wanting more volunteers. We can never have enough." New Zealand Ambulance Association chairman Mark Quin said a huge challenge lay ahead and St John had to be ready to react to it.
"The elderly population is growing dramatically every year so I can't see demand stopping any time soon."
The service was increasingly needed to be a "jack of all trades" and this was also putting pressure on the system, he said.
"In some cases, people are unable to access a GP so they call an ambulance. Others might have an appointment in three days but want to be seen sooner so they call an ambulance, even though the problem's only minor."
Further Government support wouldn't go astray, however, he said.
He said the ambulance service should be fully funded for the benefit of the public.
What do you think?
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