AMBULANCE REPORT

Another relatively quiet time for Katikati ambulance crews last week, with 24 incidents responded to.

Eighteen of these were in the Katikati operational area, one at Whakamarama, three in Tauranga, one at Mount Maunganui and one at Papamoa Beach.

Fifteen of these patients required transport to Tauranga Hospital, four were dealt with at local GP surgeries, four were treated at home, and on one occasion the call was cancelled by the caller with the ambulance en route.

Medical cases accounted for 18 of these calls with chest pains, seizures, and breathing problems predominating.

The remaining trauma calls were accidents such as falls, motor vehicle collisions and workplace occurrences.

While driving along the highway you may have been caught in a tailback of vehicles at the head of which is an ambulance, travelling at well below the speed limit.

The reasons for this slow progress are that the patient’s condition may dictate that we limit the pitch and roll of the ambulance to an acceptable level, or that a crew membermay be performing treatments and interventions en route to hospital which require a stable platform.

We understand how frustrating these tailbacks can be to other road users and endeavour tomake reasonable progress.

Thank you for your patience.