Latest news with #PeterBradley
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Emergency Ambulance Services Celebrate Paramedics And First Responders
As part of a global tribute, Hato Hone St John (HHStJ) and Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) will unite on 8 July to celebrate International Paramedics Day for the third year running. Created in 2022 by the College of Paramedics in the United Kingdom, the annual event honours all paramedics and first responders and highlights the power of teamwork and collaboration. Last year, Hato Hone St John's more than 5,000 paid and volunteer ambulance personnel responded to more than 450,000 incidents nationwide and Wellington Free Ambulance's over 200 paramedics and first responders attended more than 54,000 emergencies across Greater Wellington and Wairarapa. Peter Bradley, Hato Hone St John Chief Executive, acknowledges how the paramedic role has developed significantly over the decades, with St John first responders commencing their service to New Zealanders in 1885. 'For 140 years and counting, our people have served their communities, from giving basic first aid at events, to playing a crucial role in pre-hospital care. 'We are incredibly grateful to all our ambulance personnel who continue to make a life-changing differences in the face of growing demand for emergency services and an increasingly busy public health sector.' With this year's theme centered on 'Unity and Community', the two emergency ambulance service providers are celebrating the different ways in which paramedics, their colleagues and partners, work together to support each other and their communities, while overcoming challenges to deliver the best possible care. David Robinson, Wellington Free Ambulance Chief Executive, says, 'This International Paramedics Day, I'd like to acknowledge and thank our incredible paramedics for their tireless dedication and commitment and the difference they make to their communities – 24/7, 365 days a year. 'It's not an exaggeration to say that unity and community are absolutely essential to Wellington Free Ambulance. There's a real sense of camaraderie in our paramedic workforce; they've got each other's backs, which allows them to show up for our communities feeling fully supported. Unified teams that share valuable knowledge, skills, and experience lead to better patient outcomes. 'Caring for, and being supported by, our community is at the very heart of everything we do. It's the ongoing support and generosity of our incredible community that allows us to be here for anyone who needs us in Greater Wellington and Wairarapa, 24/7, free of charge.' Dan Ohs, Hato Hone St John Deputy Chief Executive – Ambulance Operations, says the day shines a spotlight on the significant contribution paramedics and first responders make across a wide range of roles. 'Ambulance personnel across the country work under high pressure, challenging conditions, when people are at their most vulnerable. We appreciate their skills, knowledge, and commitment to caring for patients. 'A huge thank you to all our ambulance personnel and everyone who supports them. You make a genuine difference to people's lives through the incredible work you do.' To mark the occasion on 8 July, several national landmarks will be lit up in yellow and green – the colours of emergency ambulances in New Zealand. Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance invite the public to join them in acknowledging and thanking all the paramedics and first responders who serve in their communities. The landmarks being lit up on International Paramedics Day include:
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Poverty leading cause of abortions, Jersey deputy claims
A Jersey politician thinks one of the biggest reasons abortions have increased in the island could be women facing poverty, after a record number of terminations last Louise Doublet, chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, said data showed financial strain, timing and partner-related issues - such as domestic abuse - were the main reasons women chose Doublet said people were less likely to be able to afford to start a family and suggested free the director of Public Health has urged caution over interpreting the figures adding there had been similar trends in other nations. Ms Doublet said: "I do think there should be something in our forthcoming budget to make contraception more accessible to women in the island."The latest abortions report from Public Health revealed the highest number of terminations recorded was among women aged between 25 and Health said 280 pregnancies were terminated in 2024 - compared with 260 the previous Ms Doublet said it was difficult to say exactly why the number of abortions had increased in Jersey, as no local data was director of Public Health, Prof Peter Bradley, urged caution when interpreting the figures. He said: "We do not know why more women are deciding to have terminations and cannot attribute the trends to any one cause."But he added there have been similar increases in other developed nations, pointing to "broader societal shifts".The States of Jersey is expected to debate changes to the island's abortion law before the end of this year.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Hato Hone St John Gives A Shout Out To Volunteers
Press Release – Hato Hone St John Since 1885, Hato Hone St John has stood alongside the people of Aotearoa, with a commitment to improving their health and wellbeing. Our volunteers are instrumental in helping us adapt and respond to the evolving needs of our communities. As National Volunteer Week gets underway, Hato Hone St John is calling on New Zealanders to join the organisation in recognising the extraordinary efforts its more than 8,000 volunteers put into bringing people together and building stronger communities. Volunteers are at the heart of Hato Hone St John's mission to build resilient communities, and each year they give millions of hours into emergency ambulance and event health services, Major Incident Support Teams, Health Shuttles, Archives, Area Committees, Therapy Pets, Caring Caller, Friends of the Emergency Department, St John Youth, retail stores, and other services. This year's theme for National Volunteer Week (15 – 21 June) is Whiria te tangata – Weaving the people together, which highlights the role volunteers play in supporting their communities. Peter Bradley, Hato Hone St John Chief Executive, says it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy and vital work of the organisation's volunteers, as they celebrate 140 years of service in New Zealand. 'Since 1885, Hato Hone St John has stood alongside the people of Aotearoa, with a commitment to improving their health and wellbeing. Our volunteers are instrumental in helping us adapt and respond to the evolving needs of our communities.' Steve Montgomery, Hato Hone St John General Manager, Community Impact and Programmes, says the organisation simply could not operate without the dedication of its volunteers. 'Whether they're driving health shuttles, teaching CPR, offering a friendly voice over the phone, or mentoring young people, our volunteers make a lasting difference,' says Mr Montgomery. 'Our people play a critical role in helping us deliver essential programmes and services right across the motu. Their contribution enables us to build resilience and respond to community needs more effectively. We are incredibly grateful for their time, energy and compassion.' Trudy Haringa, Hato Hone St John National Operations Manager – Ambulance Volunteering, highlights the importance of this year's theme. 'Our volunteers embody the theme of weaving people together, through their commitment to health equity and patient care. Whether providing urgent medical support, responding to significant weather events, or ensuring the safety of festival patrons, their collective efforts strengthen the social fabric of our nation. 'The dedication of our volunteers not only saves lives but also brings comfort to those in need. If there's a volunteer who's made a difference in your life, now is the perfect time to say thank you,' says Ms Haringa. On 18 June, Hato Hone St John will host an online 'thank you' event for its volunteers, as part of The Big Shout Out – a campaign by Volunteering New Zealand, run in conjunction with National Volunteer Week. Hato Hone St John encourages the public to get behind the initiative and express their thanks and appreciation to the volunteers around them. Hato Hone St John volunteer snapshot 2,642 emergency ambulance service, Event Health Services, Major Incident Support Team (MIST) volunteers 1,750 retail store volunteers 950 Health Shuttle volunteers 807 Youth leaders 733 Area Committee volunteers 631 Friends of the Emergency Department, Hospital Friends and Community Carers 614 Caring Caller volunteers 490 Therapy Pet volunteers 350 Community educators 87 Chaplains 59 Governance volunteers 14 Order Matters volunteers Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
13-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Hato Hone St John Gives A Shout Out To Volunteers
As National Volunteer Week gets underway, Hato Hone St John is calling on New Zealanders to join the organisation in recognising the extraordinary efforts its more than 8,000 volunteers put into bringing people together and building stronger communities. Volunteers are at the heart of Hato Hone St John's mission to build resilient communities, and each year they give millions of hours into emergency ambulance and event health services, Major Incident Support Teams, Health Shuttles, Archives, Area Committees, Therapy Pets, Caring Caller, Friends of the Emergency Department, St John Youth, retail stores, and other services. This year's theme for National Volunteer Week (15 – 21 June) is Whiria te tangata – Weaving the people together, which highlights the role volunteers play in supporting their communities. Peter Bradley, Hato Hone St John Chief Executive, says it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy and vital work of the organisation's volunteers, as they celebrate 140 years of service in New Zealand. 'Since 1885, Hato Hone St John has stood alongside the people of Aotearoa, with a commitment to improving their health and wellbeing. Our volunteers are instrumental in helping us adapt and respond to the evolving needs of our communities.' Steve Montgomery, Hato Hone St John General Manager, Community Impact and Programmes, says the organisation simply could not operate without the dedication of its volunteers. 'Whether they're driving health shuttles, teaching CPR, offering a friendly voice over the phone, or mentoring young people, our volunteers make a lasting difference,' says Mr Montgomery. 'Our people play a critical role in helping us deliver essential programmes and services right across the motu. Their contribution enables us to build resilience and respond to community needs more effectively. We are incredibly grateful for their time, energy and compassion.' Trudy Haringa, Hato Hone St John National Operations Manager – Ambulance Volunteering, highlights the importance of this year's theme. 'Our volunteers embody the theme of weaving people together, through their commitment to health equity and patient care. Whether providing urgent medical support, responding to significant weather events, or ensuring the safety of festival patrons, their collective efforts strengthen the social fabric of our nation. 'The dedication of our volunteers not only saves lives but also brings comfort to those in need. If there's a volunteer who's made a difference in your life, now is the perfect time to say thank you,' says Ms Haringa. On 18 June, Hato Hone St John will host an online 'thank you' event for its volunteers, as part of The Big Shout Out – a campaign by Volunteering New Zealand, run in conjunction with National Volunteer Week. Hato Hone St John encourages the public to get behind the initiative and express their thanks and appreciation to the volunteers around them. Hato Hone St John volunteer snapshot
Otago Daily Times
07-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Fundraising for new station to begin
An artistic concept of the planned Weston Rd Hato Hone St John station. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Fundraising for Oamaru's new Hato Hone St John ambulance station starts next week. The Waitaki District Council has granted resource consent for the long awaited new station to be built on an area of land that will be subdivided off the northwest corner of 4 Weston Rd. St John hopes that construction of the new station for Oamaru will start in the 2026 financial year. District operations manager Otago-Southland David Milne said the new station would also have a public training facility. "The team is very excited about getting a new station as once it is complete, it will future-proof our operations. "Having a new station will have an incredibly positive impact on Hato Hone St John's people and services in Oamaru and will ensure the organisation can support the town and its surrounding rural district for years to come." "Once it is finished, the new station will also ensure our team can continue operating through any disruption or natural disaster. We still need to fundraise for this project, though, so [we] really do appreciate the continued support of the North Otago community," he said. The Oamaru project will form part of the St John annual national fundraising campaign. This June, the organisation hopes to raise $4.5million for the building and urgent repair and rebuild of 13 ambulance stations around New Zealand. St John chief executive Peter Bradley said this year's appeal was about more than just raising money for bricks and mortar. "This is about future-proofing our stations, the home base for our emergency crews, so that no matter what tomorrow brings, our teams will always be there for communities when they need us most," Mr Bradley said. "For our ambulance officers they are also a home away from home and a place to reset, recharge and connect with each other after attending a callout." Ambulance stations are also often a vital community hub for volunteers, including those delivering first aid training and running St John Youth programmes. St John staff and volunteers will be out on the street with collection buckets on June 14-15. Schools and businesses will support with local fundraising activities. To donate online, visit the Light the Way Annual Appeal website at
