AMBULANCE REPORT

The cooler autumn weather increases the demand on ambulance services and last week your Katikati ambulance crews attended 34 incidents, the majority ofwhich (23) were in the Katikati operational area.

In addition there was one call in Whakama¯rama, one in Te Puna, one in Bethlehem and eight in Tauranga.

Of these patients, 24 required transport to Tauranga Hospital, eight were treated at home and on two occasions the ambulance was not required.

Medical cases totalled 27 last week with five trauma calls.

Our colleagues from the city stations attended 10 calls in the Katikati area while the local crews were already committed so it would be seen that it was a busy week for St John locally.

Twenty of last week’s responses by Katikati crews were ‘red’ responses.

Ambulance responses are colour-coded from grey to purple, with purple and red beingmedical emergencies, which the ambulance would travel to using lights and sirens.

Red calls might include such conditions as chest pains, motor vehicle accidents, severe breathing problems, or continuous epileptic seizures.

Thank you to all those who participated in the silent auction of those magnificently decorated nesting boxes which ended last week.

Your generosity raised $835 for St John.

This event could not have taken place without the enthusiastic co operation of the management and staff of our local Hammer Hardware which facilitated the auction. Abig vote of thanks.