Hato Hone St John braces for winter ambulance demand spike

Hato Hone St John has announced it will keep its major incident declaration in place over the weekend. This decision comes as demand for ambulances continues to soar due to winter illnesses.

The organisation is preparing for another potential spike in callouts, as the increased number of patients needing urgent care strains resources. Health experts are reminding the public to seek medical attention if they experience severe symptoms.

Hato Hone St John has been experiencing record demand for emergency services, with the winter season exacerbating the situation. The commitment to maintaining the major incident declaration reflects the ongoing pressures faced by ambulance services across the country.

Community members are encouraged to consider all options for non-emergency medical needs to help ease the burden on emergency services. This includes making use of local healthcare providers and pharmacies for minor ailments.

Originally reported by RNZ New Zealand Headlines.