Ambulance Update
The Wairarapa District Health Board is the only Board left in NZ still running their own ambulance service. However, it is hoped that by February next year, the service will be tendered out to an independent organization, the most likely candidates being either St John’s Ambulance or the Wellington Free Ambulance services.
Tender documents are due to be released and are the responsibility of NASO (National Ambulance Sector Office). The Wairarapa DHB has listed all the assets and services currently provided and CEO Tracey Adamson is confident that the same level of services will be continued in the future. A governance group has gathered the information and is very aware of the services provided by organisations such as the Martinborough St John’s Ambulance; it has been stipulated that any assets bought with funds raised by the community must stay in the Wairarapa.
There will be two community representatives on the review panel that will choose the successful tender and one will be appointed from the South Wairarapa.
David Kershaw, chairman of the local St John’s committee, has said that as part of the tender process, Wellington Free Ambulance representatives have already made an appointment to meet with Martinborough ambulance personnel.
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