Good roads save lives
Last week at my medical surgery we had an emergency. A patient had presented in acute pain with complications from recent abdominal surgery. They clearly needed to go back to Whangarei Hospital for the specialist team to investigate and potentially operate.
Our medical team kicked in with professionalism, care and calmness. Intravenous lines were inserted, the pain was controlled, blood pressure and pulse were monitored. We called St John for an urgent ambulance transfer. We spoke to the surgical team to give them a heads-up. Everyone knew their role. Even the patients in the waiting room politely picked up another slightly worn magazine, adjusted their sitting position and appreciated the GP would still see them but not just yet.
First point: we did not need a helicopter. The situation was urgent but not time-critical. The patient was now comfortable and stable. This applies to the vast majority of cases we deal with, which are often on a daily basis. The actual need for a helicopter is only about three or four times a year. It’s completely appropriate to transfer by road ambulance.
Second point: we need a good, safe and reliable main road in and out of Northland worthy of being called State Highway 1.
Before I elaborate, let me finish the story I started with. The patient was transferred back to hospital in a timely manner, received the specialist care needed and is now doing well. The ambulance crews were stretched that day. Credit to the St John staff, especially their volunteers, as always.
Okay, State Highway 1. Ridiculed and belittled as the ‘Holiday Highway’ by outof-touch, self-centred politicians, it’s actually the main artery, the lifeline of Northland. I have lived in Northland for 15 years, and from day one I have been aware of the need to build a four-lane highway. I have frustratingly acknowledged it will take some time, but I struggle to find printable words when I heard that Jacinda Ardern was scrapping the much-needed upgrades.
Our main road should be safe, built to allow and encourage future economic growth and cope with adverse weather events. A road to cater for the arrival of driverless cars and trucks. We could have our ‘rail to Auckland,’ as driverless electric trucks will behave in the same way as rail for much less cost. All our local mayors agree, and recently pleaded their case with the government. I am sure it fell on deaf, unsympathetic ears.
Speed dial Shane Jones: ‘Quick, Shane, spend some of that dosh we gave you to appease those pain-in the-neck Northlanders. Give them another wharf or something. Stick some paint on the dangerous corners. Maybe build a frisbee park, because we don’t actually give a stuff.’
Northland needs a robust transport network to move people, goods and services safely and efficiently. Our local industries, such as dairy, forestry and tourism, are the key beneficiaries of better roads. Oh, and guess what . . . they save lives.
"I have lived in Northland for 15 years, and from day one I have been aware of the need to build a four-lane highway."