Media release from Taranaki DHB

Taranaki District Health Board (Taranaki DHB) and the National Ambulance Sector Office (NASO) have been working together to find an alternate provider for Ambulance Services in the Taranaki region.

Currently Taranaki District Health Board is one of only two District Health Boards in New Zealand who provide Ambulance services for their region. Ambulance services around the rest of New Zealand are primarily provided by Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).

We are pleased to confirm that St John Ambulance has been identified as a preferred candidate to provide these services in the Taranaki region.  The National Ambulance Sector Office and Taranaki DHB are working with St John through the necessary and appropriate steps prior to the planned transition date of 1 February 2011.

NASO, who coordinate Ministry of Health and ACC funding for emergency ambulance services, has worked with Taranaki DHB to undertake a robust and transparent tender process to secure an alternative provider for both emergency ambulance services and patient transport services.

The responses received were heartening, showing that New Zealanders continue to be served by ambulance providers who are dedicated to a quality ambulance service.

NASO is pleased with the strength of St John's proposal, which provided reassurance of a continued excellent ambulance service in the Taranaki region.

St John Chief Executive, Jaimes Wood, said "St John is delighted with the confidence the government has shown in St John by entrusting us with the provision of ambulance services to the Taranaki community".

"The current ambulance service has provided well for local Taranaki communities and we are committed to delivering service that equally serves the community as well."

"We are focused on working closely with Taranaki ambulance staff to keep them informed and updated.  Our Operations Director and I will be in Taranaki this afternoon to talk with ambulance staff and we're looking forward to working alongside them.

"St John will retain existing staff, making sure we use their skilled resources to ensure complete consistency over the transition period, said Mr Wood.

"Together, we will put in place a thorough transition plan which will ensure continuity of services and public safety for the people of Taranaki".