The Government yesterday confirmed $28 million over four years to provide the extra ambulance officers trained to paramedic level, $500,000 annually to train rural volunteers and an additional $1 million for the air ambulance sector.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said the extra paramedics would boost patient safety by increasing the number of double-crewed ambulances.
The total funding allocated to the new initiatives was $48 million over the next 4 years, and was budgeted for under the previous government.
St John southern region operations manager Doug Third said while details of new funding for Otago and Southland were not yet known, the region would benefit.
"We're really thrilled about it. It's a long time coming."
There had been intensive consultation over many years between emergency services and the Government to find the best way forward, he said.
"This signals positively that the Government wants to improve the ambulance service."
Otago Rescue Helicopter Service chairman Ross Black said any additional funding for air ambulance services would be a "great help . . . however small it might be".
While in a sound position, the Otago service was facing additional cost pressures like increasing fuel prices, he said.
St John chief executive Jaimes Wood said the announcement was a step on the path to more appropriate funding levels for the ambulance sector.
"We are pleased this initiative has not been relegated in the face of general Budget pressures."
The funding was for specific identified initiatives, all of which were part of St John recommendations.
However, the announcement did not address core funding.
"This is not yet finalised and is critical to our delivery of services," Mr Wood said.
St John would need to continue to subsidise its operations to maintain service levels by raising funds for its ambulance stations, ambulances, other vehicles and equipment, he said.
