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Save our ambulance service – Urgent Hui
April 20 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Our island community is about to lose 24/7 ambulance cover for the first time in fifteen years.
This problem is primarily due to the fact that our few dedicated volunteers also have day jobs, and there is a lack of funding for alternative ways of operating.
Currently the service is provided by just three qualified volunteers, one whom provides the majority of cover throughout each week, and this situation has now become unsustainable.
Although this may sound grim at first, there is an opportunity here for our community to implement a more sustainable and collaborative solution that helps to further enhance healthcare services across the motu.
Please join us at the Barrier Social Club for a community hui at 3pm on April the 20th, to discuss the problem in depth, consider proposed solutions, and to brainstorm some ideas as to how we can implement a more sustainable solution.
It is important to remember that in a medical emergency (regardless of future local ambulance availability) you should dial 111 and ask for ambulance, as this will still result in a coordinated response from the health centre team, rescue helicopters and other emergency services as required.
For more info about our ambulance service and Adam Johnston who runs it you can access a recent interview with Adam here – https://www.greatbarrier.co.nz/staying-alive/ – With thanks to Tim & Georgie Higham