Hopes for ambulance Budget cash

The public will be appalled if there is no significant cash injection for stretched ambulance services when the Government unveils its Budget, a southern campaigner says.

The fate of any increased resourcing for St John will be revealed tomorrow, following months of calls for the Government to open its coffers.

One of those waiting with bated breath is Mosgiel woman Pauline Latta, who delivered a 51,000-signature petition to Parliament in December calling for St John to be fully funded.

St John receives about 72% of its funding through government contracts, although it received extra funding to help make up a Covid-related shortfall.

Its current four-year contract expires in July.

Ms Latta said she hoped the Budget reflected what the public was asking for, and that was more funding for St John.

That had the potential to save lives, she said.

While fully funding the service would be ideal, she was not confident that would happen.

Any increase in funding would be a good start, and would show the Government was listening to the public, she said.

If there was no increase, the public would be appalled, she said.

"Currently it’s not up to scratch.

"There are people waiting on floors in the dark, in the cold, not knowing when ambulances are turning up. In a First World country, that’s appalling."

Ambulance resourcing has come under the microscope in the South in recent months.

In April the Otago Daily Times revealed more than 5000 southern people have had to wait more than an hour for an ambulance since 2019.

That was taking an emotional toll on stretched ambulance crews.

St John declined to comment before the Budget announcement.

First Union transport, logistics and manufacturing organiser Faye McCann hoped there would be a funding boost.

If that happened, it was key that any extra money went towards resourcing and more ambulances on the road, she said.

The Budget will be announced at 2pm tomorrow.

daisy.hudson@odt.co.nz