Barbara Stewart MP
Spokesperson for Health
28 MARCH 2017

NATIONAL’S UNDERFUNDING OF ST JOHN WOEFUL

The National government’s lack of support for St John is putting lives at risk, says New Zealand First Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Since 2015, St John has warned that from next year, they will no longer risk staff and patient safety through the use of single-crewed ambulances.

“Despite this warning, the government continues to reduce the level of funding to our ambulance service.

“According to the “Yes We Care” campaign – an alliance of health professionals and community groups, the country’s health system is underfunded by $1.8 billion, which translates to the ambulance service being short 400 paramedics.

“With this shortage, our ambulance staff are under increasing pressure which has led to a sharp rise in the number of serious mistakes.

“When will National wake up and realise their underfunding of the ambulance service puts the lives of every day Kiwis at risk?

“New Zealand First is committed to ensuring our paramedics are fully supported and well-resourced for the jobs they are trained to do.

“Paramedics are highly skilled medical professionals at the front line and they need to be better supported,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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