Guy welcomes new funding for Horowhenua St Johns project
Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed new funding of $712,500 from the Government to extend the Horowhenua St Johns Urgent Community Care (UCC) project until 2014.
“This is great news for what is a very important local health service,” says Mr Guy.
“Locals can be treated in their own home by highly skilled paramedics. As a result, around 20% fewer people need to make the stressful journey to hospital.
“This is a win-win for patients, the community and the taxpayer.
“This is especially important in Horowhenua because we have a number of elderly and vulnerable people, and Palmerston North hospital is nearly an hour’s drive away.
“St John have done an outstanding job with this service which was recognised by Prime Minister John Key when he announced funding of $700,000 last year.
“4237 patients have been treated and a survey shows high-level satisfaction of 99%, an outstanding result.
“This new, additional funding will extend the service until January 2014 and help it to become self-sufficient.
“It ties in well with successful work of Wellington Free Ambulance in Kapiti, and I think this will be an example for the rest of the country,” says Mr Guy.
