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Media Releases | St John Ambulance
 
ST JOHN AMBULANCE SECURES CRITICAL FUNDING TO HELP SAVE MORE LIVES IN THE NT
  07 Sep 2018

Territorians requiring critical emergency response will continue to receive the highest clinical level of care prior to arriving at hospital, after the Northern Territory Government today announced Service Improvement Funding for the creation of a new Duty Manager position within the St John Ambulance Emergency Communication Centre and the continuation of the St John Ambulance NT Intensive Care Paramedic Critical Response Unit.

Launched in November last year as a trial, funded by St John Ambulance NT, the Critical Response Unit complements existing ambulance resource and focusses on rapid response, clinical assessment and advanced medical care.

St John Ambulance NT CEO Judith Barker said the trial period has enabled the organisation to make evidence-based decisions on the best application of resources.

“To achieve the best outcomes for critically unwell patients, progressive investment is crucial,” Ms Barker said. “Our intensive care paramedics are highly experienced clinicians with specialist skillsets and capabilities that have saved many lives throughout the Territory.

“We are excited that the Northern Territory Government will be funding the continuation of the Critical Response Unit in Darwin and Alice Springs and the creation of a new Duty Manager position within the St John Ambulance Emergency Communication Centre.

“St John Ambulance Emergency Medical Dispatchers answer on average 4500 Triple 000 emergency calls every month, with an average of 98% of the calls answered within 10 seconds.

“The new Communication Centre Duty Manager role will enable us to have an additional oversight to assist with the management of complex cases and it will support the dynamic movement of Ambulance resources and the Critical Response Unit.”

The funding announcement comes as the NT Government released their response to the independent Northern Territory Road Ambulance Service Scoping Review to the public.

After meeting with over 140 individuals across the regions, visiting St John Ambulance centres and sub stations, hospitals, primary health centres, Aboriginal community controlled organisations across the NT and United Voice Union representatives, the independent reviewer found that the road ambulance service is functioning satisfactorily.

Ms Barker said the organisation and her staff were looking forward to continuing their excellent working relationship with the NT Government and Health providers across the Northern Territory in line with the review recommendations to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

(*photo: St John Ambulance Regional Manager Ambulance Operations Northern Region James Gardiner, CEO Judith Barker, Emergency Communications Centre Manager Craig Garraway and Regional Manager Ambulance Operations Southern Region Andrew Everingham with the Intensive Care Paramedic Critical Response Unit at Casuarina Ambulance Station.)

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