Emergency services in this region could be further compromised by the loss of a permanent advanced paramedic in Gisborne, while ambulance stations at Ruatoria and Te Puia will be managed from Tauranga.
St John Ambulance has been short of two paramedics in Gisborne since the end of last year, when an advanced paramedic and a paramedic relocated elsewhere.
The staff shortage and further planned restructuring for this region is a serious concern, says National Distribution Union branch organiser Neil Chapman.
"We have argued for many years to get advanced paramedic positions into this area and we don’t want to see a dilution of that in any way.
"Gisborne has gone from having three advanced paramedics to two, and that is our concern. It puts a huge amount of pressure on the remaining two advanced paramedics."
Advanced paramedics are able to administer medicines and carry out life support procedures that other staff are not qualified to do. They are also called on to attend emergencies that require the attendance of the Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter, and often attend other incidents to support other paramedics.
"We are absolutely concerned that the number of paramedics able to carry out this role has been limited," Mr Chapman said.
"Gisborne is some way away from other centres — staff who are out there on their own with a seriously ill patient need to know with confidence the advanced paramedic is available to support them.
"There are times when ambulance staff know a patient will have a better chance of recovery with access to an advanced paramedic."
Proposed restructuring by St John Ambulance in the midland region means that Gisborne’s area manager position will be disestablished and replaced by a duty-based team manager.
Effectively, the Gisborne station loses a staff member, leaving it with just two advanced paramedics on staff.
The car-based area manager position has meant an extra vehicle with a full supply of medical equipment has been on the road at busy times, as well as providing a quick response by an advanced paramedic at trauma situations.
While it has been proposed the car will still be available for use in Gisborne without a car-based manager, it is likely to remain on-station, meaning delays in responding to emergency situations.
While the Gisborne station will still be managed by the team manager, this position will now be ambulance-based, with the manager working shifts as part of the station roster.
This means reduced availability to support other staff or attend as back-up to major incidents, Mr Chapman believes.
St John Gisborne area manager Shane Clapperton was unable to comment on the situation.
The proposed restructuring will be implemented by the end of May.
The decision to have Ruatoria and Te Puia managed from Tauranga rather than Gisborne meant local relationships and knowledge would be lost, Mr Chapman said.
"I am astounded these changes are happening and not one iota of consultation has taken place.
"They’ve just gone ahead and made decisions that have a big impact on our communities.
"The ambulance service is a public service, publicly-funded and therefore should consult the public.
"It has got to the stage where we at the union are considering going to the Government and asking the health select committee to carry out an investigation into the ambulance service provided by St John in this country."
• St John Midland regional ambulance service manager Brent Nielsen said the changes were being made as a result of months of consultation and extensive input from staff and management.
"The changes are part of a wider change programme designed to improve our management framework and help us better deliver services to the community.
"The changes are not about cutting costs, but about providing a better service for patients and customers.
"In fact, there will be more staff overall after the changes."
The Herald understands that while this might be true in other regions, Gisborne’s staffing level will drop from 10 to nine.
The ambulance service in Gisborne is also staffed with 15 volunteers and is always looking to recruit more.
"The service relies on a combination of volunteer and paid staff.
"Volunteers form an essential part of St John in New Zealand," Mr Neilsen said.
