The following comments are from the Labour Party in direct response to questions from Iain MacKay, a Head Delegate from Wellington Free Ambulance on behalf of CAWU.

• Do you share the view of ambulance officers that all emergency ambulances should be staffed with two qualified ambulance officers?

  Labour understands that there are areas where ambulance crews are understaffed, and we are moving to address this issue. We also understand that ambulance services need more support, which is why we recently announced a funding injection of $47 million. Our focus is on ensuring that ambulances provide quality services. Sending two qualified paramedics in the same vehicle to every incident does not necessarily guarantee a quality service. Through the Draft New Zealand Ambulance Strategy (currently out for consultation) we are investigating the appropriate skill mix and crew levels required to run safe and sustainable ambulance services.

• Do you believe that ambulance services muct be adequately resourced and able to comply with NZTA work time regulations?

  Yes, we believe that ambulance services must comply with work time rules, and they should have the resources to achieve this. We are aware that some services are finding it difficult to achieve this. Labour has sought to address these issues through our recent funding boost of $47 million, and is looking at further improvements to resourcing in our draft Ambulance Strategy.

• Do you believe that by comparison the response time requirements in NZ are too low and should be the same as other developed countries?

  Labour is committed to ambulance services that are timely and of high quality. Response times are one of many factors that lead to high quality services. Labour is taking a holistic approach to improving ambulance services through our Draft Strategy, which includes such factors as clinical expertise, standardised competency levels, better triage of calls, and sustainability of the workforce.

The following commentary about Ambulance Services was found on the Labour Party website for the 12 month period leading up to the election.

Ministers Welcome Ambulance Strategy

David Cunliffe

16.09.2008

The ambulance strategy, released for consultation today, proposes a framework for initiatives that will include extending the scope of practice so ambulance officers can treat people at home.

"The goal of the strategy is a cohesive, safe, sustainable, quality, cost-effective appropriate and efficient ambulance service for New Zealand," said Ministers David Cunliffe and Maryan Street.

It proposes changes to simplify funding and extending the role of the paramedic, both of which will give ambulance services greater flexibility.

"A significant proportion of calls to ambulance services could be safely dealt with by treating patients at home. This will be great news for many elderly people in particular as it will save them having to go to emergency departments," said David Cunliffe.

"At the same time it will reduce the pressure on the country's emergency departments, reducing waiting times for other patients."

"International experience indicates that paramedics can be trained to work effectively in their communities, providing assessment and care for minor illness and injury and ongoing community based care for the chronically ill."

"Currently paramedics in New Zealand are working towards becoming registered health professionals. Registration will facilitate access to the appropriate training to extend paramedics' scope of practice, as has been done in Canada and the United Kingdom."

""A key part of the newly proposed strategy is to explore options for integration of funding from ACC and the Ministry of Health. ACC uses fee for service arrangements but only when a patient is transported for treatment and no part charges are permitted. The Ministry bulk funds ambulance services and allows part charges," Maryan Street said.

"The strategy will give a clear plan for future government investment in ambulance services."

Recent Vote Health increases in funding (for St John, Wellington Free Ambulance and Emergency Communication Centres) has consisted of:

• A 19% increase for 2006/07 on the 2005/06 base funding
• A 25% increase over two years on the 2006/07 base funding
• A one-off 5% payment, to St John and Wellington Free Ambulance, on the 2006/07 baseline funding in 2007/08.

ACC reviews the 'fee for service' rates on an annual basis and has recently increased its contributions for both road and air ambulances, as well as communication centres.

"This funding has enabled us to stabilise improvements to ambulance officers' clinical education and staffing. With the Health Select Committee report and consultation on the draft Ambulance Strategy we are well placed to move on from stabilization to building the ambulance sector as the first line of emergency intervention," said Mr Cunliffe.

Air Ambulance Report released

David Cunliffe

17.07.2008

Ministers welcome Air Ambulance Report

The Minister of Health David Cunliffe and the Minister for ACC Maryan Street are supporting a set of recommendations from the Air Ambulance Reference Group, but they say much more work is needed before any changes should be made.

The Group has released a report into air ambulance services in New Zealand, which includes proposals as to how services can be maintained and improved.

"The Ministry of Health and ACC have already started work in developing an overarching strategic direction for the ambulance sector. Many of the Reference Group's proposals will be considered as part of the development of a wider ambulance strategy," said David Cunliffe.

One of the main recommendations from the Reference Group is the development of a lead Crown Funder for air ambulance services, with the possibility of expanding into road ambulances and inter-hospital transfers.

"The Ministry of Health and ACC have already commissioned and considered independent advice on the formation of a single funder for all emergency ambulances. Again, this will need to be looked at in light of a wider strategy, which is expected to be released shortly."

Maryan Street says ACC officials have started work on implementing some of the report's recommendations.

"The review of the ambulance standard has been completed already - The Ambulance and Paramedical Services standard NZS8156:2008 was published in May 2008. A large amount of work is now needed to investigate the feasibility of the rest of the report's recommendations."

To read the full report go to: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/report-air-ambulance-reference-gr...

Background

The Air Ambulance Reference Group was formed in February 2006 to provide expert advice to the Minister for ACC and the Minister of Health on an appropriate framework for the development of Air Ambulance Services for New Zealand. Membership of Reference Group includes representatives from the Air and Health sectors, other Emergency Services, Local Government, Road Ambulance, Civil Aviation Authority, Corporate Sponsors and Ambulance New Zealand.

The Air Ambulance Reference Group:

• Supports a national strategic direction for the whole ambulance sector
• Makes no proposals about the location of bases or the range of uses for craft
• Supports a lead Crown funder
• Wants services funded on the basis of partial capacity and full activity funding for the agreed minimum service level
• Urges planning for a sustainable sector
• Supports quality standards
• Supports workforce development
• Supports further developing dispatch protocols
• Recommends a national advisory body
• Urges consultation with providers on service specifications before any tendering

• Recommends consultation with communities if current arrangements are to be disturbed

Ministers welcome Select Committee Report on Ambulances

David Cunliffe

08.07.2008

The Minister of Health, David Cunliffe and the Minister for ACC Maryan Street described today's Health Select Committee report on Ambulance Services as an important step forward.

"It seems a well researched and well reasoned report that is worthy of serious consideration by the government. I will consider it in detail and take advice on it. The Government already has a policy of moving towards double crewing, as appropriate, as soon as resources allow."

"I am pleased that it was done on a bi-partisan basis, however to implement its recommendations the government will have to look at a rethink of Health spending priorities," said Mr Cunliffe.

The Minister of Health also says many the concerns outlined in the Health Select Committee's report will be largely met by a newly developed strategy.

"Jointly the Minister of ACC, and I instructed officials in March to develop a draft National Ambulance Strategy.  Now that the Health Select Committee response has been received Minister Street and I have asked ACC and the Ministry of Health to now consult on the draft strategy."

"The government is committed to ensuring New Zealand has a high quality and dependable ambulance service.  This commitment has been demonstrated through Vote Health increases in funding (for St John, Wellington Free Ambulance and Emergency Communication Centres) of:

• A 19% increase for 2006/07 on the 2005/06 base funding;

• A 25% increase over two years on the 2006/07 base funding

• A one-off 5% payment, to St John and Wellington Free Ambulance, on the 2006/07 baseline funding in 2007/08"

"This stabilisation funding has enabled improvements to ambulance officers' clinical education and staffing.  With the Health Select Committee report and consultation on the draft Ambulance Strategy we are well placed to move on from stabilization to building the ambulance sector as the first line of emergency intervention."