Record response time for St John Ambulance

The report revealed ambulances responded to patients with life-threatening conditions more quickly than ever before. Photo / File

St John Ambulance have reported a record response time to 111 calls, despite answering 17,000 more emergency calls this year.

The St John annual report, released this morning, revealed that its ambulances responded to patients with life-threatening conditions more quickly than ever before in the year ending June 30.

It also answered 17,020 more 111 calls than the previous year.

St John provides emergency ambulance services to nearly 90 per cent of New Zealanders in 97 per cent of New Zealand's geographical area.

The organisation attributed the improvement to a number of factors including the hiring of 158 additional frontline staff, improved technology in ambulances including updated mapping software and new deployment plans.

Chief executive Peter Bradley said the achievements of the 2014/15 year were "a testament to the commitment of St John people to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care".

"I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past year," he said.

"Through the efforts of all our paid and volunteer staff we have delivered a quality ambulance service to New Zealanders, and made a positive impact in communities throughout the country."