New ambulance policy

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33680, 1 November 1974, Page 2

New ambulance policy

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 31. A new policy on ambulance services would emerge as a result of the recent Government decision to restructure the Ambulance Transport Advisory Board, the Minister of Health (Mr McGuigan) said today.

He was commenting on recent reports referring to ambulance services as the “Cinderella of the health service.”

I While promising no golden I coaches, the Minister said he was well aware of the need for an upgrading of ambulance services and he intended to see this brought about. The forthcoming White Paper on health services was less important in this respect than the restructuring of the Ambulance Advisory Board, already approved, the Minister said. The board would be strengthened by representation from the Medical Association of New Zealand, the Medical Superintendents’ Association, and other interested bodies. Membership is now being arranged. A national policy on am-

bulance services, the training and standards of ambulance staff, vehicle standards, and other matters, such as radio communciation, would be required. Various technical committees of the board could j,be set up and would invite

■ experts with . - appropriate • knowledge and experience to , serve on them. Regional com- ; mittees would be established I for the organisation of services within their regions. The board’s first meeting is I expected in November or i early December.