Rising St John cost a concern

During the past couple of years, there has been plenty of talk of recession - but now it looks like the sharp edges of the global downturn are beginning to bite.

News of an impending rise in ambulance charges will have sent a chill through most people.

Wanganui residents will face a part-charge rise to $65 from April 1, $75 from the same date next year, and finally on April 1 2014, the fee will rise again to $88.

The Ministry of Health funds part of the ambulance service, but St John uses the patient part-charge to recover the rest of the amount. The part-charge covers medical emergencies as well as accident-related injuries that are older than 24 hours and injuries that do not meet ACC criteria.

St John is putting the increased charge down to a jump in demand for the ambulance service, and because its funding was unable to meet that demand.

It's a tough position to be in - funding for the health sector is tight, as it is right across the board.

The Ministry of Health is not the only government department being made acutely aware of the need for belt tightening.

When the part-change for Wanganui residents reaches $88, the fee will be the same right across New Zealand.

However, presumably the increased demand for the ambulance service is coming from this country's more heavily populated areas - Auckland, Wellington and suchlike. It would be a shame if smaller regional centres like Wanganui were forced to carry the burden of what may predominantly come down to something as simple as population growth in larger urban areas.

The unimaginable scenario is arriving at a position where only the wealthy are able to afford emergency medical care.

The last thing people need during a medical emergency is to be worrying about whether they can afford to call an ambulance.

Much has already been written about the sad death of former All Blacks captain and rugby administrator Jock Hobbs, who passed away from leukaemia on Tuesday.

While his exploits on the field were in themselves a superb effort, Hobbs arguably achieved more off the field, as a rugby administrator.

He's been credited as "saving" New Zealand rugby following the approach from the rebel World Rugby Corporation in 1995, and in 2005 he headed the bid that secured this country last year's Rugby World Cup.

As a nation, we tend to put our sports stars up on a pedestal.

But judging by the tributes from those who knew him, Hobbs was a man who deserved all the plaudits that are now flowing in, and a man whose loss will be felt deeply for some time.

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