Ambulance staff hail extra jobs

The new initiative would allow St. Johns to employ 57 additional ambulance staff throughout New Zealand. Photo / Michael Cunningham

St John staff are welcoming the announcement that two extra ambulance jobs will be created in Rotorua.

Yesterday, St John announced it had approved a $4 million initiative that would see 57 additional ambulance staff employed throughout New Zealand.

The move comes after a study found ambulance resources, including vehicles and rostered personnel, had in some areas not matched patient demand.

St John Lakes area territorial manager Hilary MorrishAllen said staff were pleased to learn about the changes, which would also see an extra ambulance.

"It's going to make a huge difference.

"Now we will have three ambulances on the road and two extra helping hands, which is well needed," she said.

"There's a lot of demand in Rotorua and we have been waiting for this for a long time, so we're very pleased to see it come to fruition."

She said the new staff members were likely to start in about July.

St John chief executive Peter Bradley said the changes would have many benefits for patients, including more effective services and response times.

"It's another step to achieving our ambition of right care, right time," he said.

Mr Bradley said the initiative would be the first part of a five-year workforce plan.

Jobs will also be created in Auckland, Christchurch, Waihi, Temuka, Hamilton, Whangarei, Alexandra, Picton and Feilding.

He expected to have 20 staff on board by July 1 and the remaining 37 by January 2015.

St John also announced it will invest half a million dollars into a volunteer sustainability strategy, to help meet the challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteers.