DISTRICT AMBULANCE

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1043, 4 November 1947, Page 3

DISTRICT AMBULANCE

FORMATION OF BRIGADE PUBIC MEETING CALLED BY MAYOR The move by the Mayor, Mr. T. G. Johnson to call a meeting for the purpose of forming a St : . John Ambulance Brigade and also a Nursing Division should receive widespread support. Mr. Johnson was approached some time ago by the Whakatane Brigade to form a similar movement in Opotiki and it is felt that this is an important step in the move to acquire an ambulance for the district. In Whakatane, where a brigade is well established, the ambulance received 150 calls during last year for various hospital cases of sickness. When the ambulance becomes properly established in Opotiki, it may expect about half this number of calls in a year or three calls a fortnight. Some of the calls may entail trips to the Coast to bring cases of sickness to Opotiki Hospital. The Coast rcidonts have felt the need for proper' hospital conveyance for some time. To run an ambulance efficiently, therefore, it would be necessary to have a brigade of trained men and women two of whom, would accompany the ambulance on trips to pick up patients. The ’ Whakatane ambulance has become self-supporting, and the people of Whakatane are so pleased with the service that it renders to the community that they have subscribed liberally to the .funds of the brigade to such an extent that it was found possible to built a large training hall which is well fitted out.

It is hoped that the public of the district will get behind Mr. Johnson and thus provide the means of giving the very best ot' transport to hospital for the sick and injured.