Clinic no show for big show

By NICK PERRY health reporter

Stretched St John Ambulance staff cannot man a clinic at the Auckland Domain this New Year's Eve - despite expecting "lots of problems with alcohol" at the 200,000-person This Is It event.

The St John Auckland events manager, Adam Johnston, said its usual complement of volunteer off-duty doctors and nurses had been depleted after hospitals required extra staff on duty.

He said St John also had many other events to keep an eye on throughout the city, and did not have the resources to maintain field hospitals. However, it would man a clinic at the Viaduct Harbour.

People suffering minor cuts and ailments at the Domain could still be treated at one of five first-aid posts, Mr Johnston said.

Those who were intoxicated or needed more serious medical attention would be taken to nearby Auckland Hospital.

St John Ambulance would provide a good service throughout the city on New Year's Eve.

A highly mobile fleet of ambulances could quickly deploy to any trouble spots, and hospitals were geared up for an expected increase in patients.

Mr Johnston said the organisation had introduced field hospitals at large Auckland events over the past two years as a way of providing on-site treatment and reducing workloads at nearby hospitals.

Both it and other emergency services expected lots of alcohol-related problems at various locations on the "very festive" night.

This Is It co-organiser Mike Mizrahi said he had faith that St John would provide whatever service was needed.

Despite alcohol being allowed, he did not expect many problems.

"It is a family-oriented event, and I imagine the wild-party people will be getting smashed at a beach somewhere, not in the Domain."