Editorial: St John boost on way at last

The demand for paramedics on busy shifts can reach critical levels. Photo / Duncan Brown

It's been a long time coming but the St John service in Rotorua is to get two extra ambulance staff and a new ambulance.

It's great news for the organisation and our city as response times are often a matter of life and death.

The extra resourcing was announced yesterday as part of a $4million package that will lead to 57 extra ambulance staff being employed throughout New Zealand. Rotorua is to get its two new staff members in about July.

St John Lakes area territorial manager Hilary MorrishAllen is quoted as saying the funding boost will make a huge difference and is "well needed".

No doubt the demand for paramedics on busy shifts can reach critical levels and having a slight improvement on response times can make all the difference.

We know only too well how important our St John staff are after reporting this week about a man who nearly died after being stung by a bee. Ambulance officers Mike France and Arthur Turner were called by Joe Cropp after his son, Jared Cropp, was stung on his finger.

Initially the father and son didn't think much of it as Jared had been stung before, but within minutes he fell unconscious. The paramedics were able to get there quickly and administer the drugs needed to revive him. It's estimated he would have died had it been a few minutes later.

Ms MorrishAllen said Rotorua had been waiting for this boost for a long time.

One can only wonder what the hold-up was, but I guess good things come to those who wait.