Ambulance Service In Critical Condition

The Government should front up with the money to prevent planned ambulance staffing cuts in Hawke’s Bay says New Zealand First civil defence and emergency services spokesperson Ron Mark.

“A reduction in ambulance staffing would be devastating for rural communities and to cut eight professional ambulance officers from the region could mean the difference between life and death for some patients,” said Mr Mark.

“It is completely unreasonable to expect volunteers to pick up the slack. They are trained to support professional staff. It is unfair to expect them to bear the responsibility of attending callouts on their own.

“Emergency services across the country have always battled for funding and the Government simply rides on the back of volunteer staff to the extent that some so-called ‘volunteers’ are working 40 hour weeks,” said Mr Mark.

© Scoop Media