All emergency ambulances responding across Coromandel and Whitianga will soon be double crewed.

A statement released by St John says this will lead to better clinical care for patients and enhanced safety and wellbeing for St John's dedicated ambulance officers.

St John Ambulance is pleased to be recruiting seven additional paid staff in Coromandel town and Whitianga to double crew two ambulances and provide further cover for medical emergencies 24/7.

St John Hauraki Territory Manager John Armitt says there will also soon be two new rural ambulances known as First Response Units to be crewed by dedicated volunteers.

'It's exciting to be able to boost the emergency ambulance response in these areas, which will give Coromandel, Whitianga, and the wider community greater access to emergency medical care.”

The new First Response vehicles will join those already operating in Tairua, Hahei and Colville, building resilience in these rural areas.

'These emergency vehicles are specially designed for rural roads and will benefit both our volunteers and patients. They enable our ambulance officers to swiftly locate patients and treat and stabilise them before transporting locally or to a helicopter or transporting ambulance,” says John.

The rollout of the new rural ambulances means more volunteers are required to work alongside current and new staff, who play a critical role in delivering the important lifesaving work across the peninsular.

In addition, emergency ambulances throughout the wider Coromandel Peninsula are supported by rescue helicopters, PRIME (Primary Response in a Medical Emergency) doctors and nurses, and a co-response agreement with Fire and Emergency New Zealand for life-threatening incidents.

The improvements are possible through Government funding announced in May 2017, to enable St John to implement a four-year plan to end single crewing of transporting ambulances.

St John was the only first world ambulance service with single crewed ambulance responses and ending single crewing is one of the most significant developments in the history of the ambulance service in New Zealand.

Double crewing means there will always be a clinician to provide care to patients while being transported to hospital, ensuring the Coromandel community receives the same