St John provides major health services in our region
Our community often recognises Hato Hone St John as a major health supplier in New Zealand. Providing 90% of emergency and non-emergency ambulance coverage, first aid at public events, first aid training and the St John Youth programme for tamariki aged between six and 18 years.
Hato Hone St John Whakatipu also facilitates many other community health initiatives that consists of programmes offering non-clinical support for patients, their families and friends, examples include medical alarms, Friends of the Hospital (supporting hospital staff, patients and their families, Caring Callers who phone to check on someone’s wellbeing, and Health Shuttles to help people attend essential medical appointments in Invercargill Monday – Friday.
Recently the local Area Committee embarked on a new community program Waka Ora Health Shuttle Friendship Drives. This program runs at the weekends and a door-to-door service providing people with the opportunity to develop new connections and friendships through a variety of outings to locations around our community. These trips have been greatly supported by many local businesses, such as the Kingston Flyer, Millbrook and Deer Park Heights. Our upcoming trips include visiting local cafes, the Millers Flat Cavalcade and a picnic in Glenorchy.
St John Queenstown are extremely grateful to be the recipients of the Impact100 grant last year of $148,000. These funds will be used to purchase two vehicles, which includes a new wheelchair capable Health Shuttle and the running cost of the Health Shuttle service for the next two years.
Another new initiative being rolled out across Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago is 3 Steps 4 life. This program recognises that cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death in Aotearoa New Zealand with more than 2000 people a year treated for cardiac arrest. Of those, only 22% survive hospital arrival and only 11% leave hospital alive.
Jacci Tatnell, Hato Hone St John Head of Community Education, says while the statistics are alarming, the good news is survival rates can double with a little help from a friend.
To help support our community and improve patient outcomes, we offer free CPR and defibrillator training to local groups. Recently, we ran a session at the Arrowtown Bowls club and at the Game Over locals day. Thanks to the support and funds raised at the 2022 Game Over locals day, we were able to purchase more equipment to run these courses and the funds raised this year will enable us to continue to deliver this program in our community.
In addition to 3 Steps 4 Life, we are supporting education in our local community through the ASB St John in Schools programme. This program has been running since 2015, in preschools, primary schools and for intermediate aged children. Through the course, tamariki learn practical and educational skills in first aid.
St John Director of Community Health and Engagement Sarah Manley says “ASB St John in Schools is significant not only for the youth of New Zealand, but also for their families, friends and communities who stand to benefit from their first aid knowledge.”
The Emergency Ambulance Service and our Community Health Services are only made possible with the support of our volunteers, staff, and our community. Over the last few months, we have been very grateful to have received support from many business, trusts, and individuals.
If you would be interested in becoming a volunteer we would love to hear from you. We are currently recruiting for several of our programmes, including Waka ora Health Shuttle and Friendship Drives, Friends of the Hospital and Ambulance Operations.
If you would like more information:
please contact sarah.bloxham@stjohn.org.nz or visit www.stjohn.org.nz
