Paramedics could be trained to treat people at home under proposals released by the Government.
An ambulance strategy document going out for discussion today says a significant proportion of calls could be safely dealt with in this way.
It would save elderly people having to go to emergency departments, reduce pressure on those departments and cut waiting times for other patients, Health Minister David Cunliffe said.
Paramedics would have to be trained to take on home treatment, as had been done in Canada and Britain.
"International experience indicates that paramedics can be trained to work effectively in their communities, providing assessment and care for minor illness and injury and ongoing community-based care for the chronically ill," Mr Cunliffe said.
The ambulance strategy was drafted by the Ministry of Health working with ACC and Ambulance NZ which represents the sector.
ACC Minister Maryan Street said the strategy also proposed options for integrating funding from ACC and the Ministry of Health.
"The strategy will give a clear plan for future government investment in ambulance services," she said.
The National Distribution Union described the proposals as a mixed bag.
Its ambulance sector coordinator Craig Page was pleased paramedics would be recognised as frontline health carers.
But he said there was no mention of ambulance crewing despite widespread public concern about single paramedics handling callouts.
There are 210 ambulance stations in New Zealand, 560 road ambulances and about 100 other vehicles which are available.
Services are provided by 1300 paid staff and about 2650 volunteers.
Ambulances answer about 280,000 incidents a year in response to 111 calls plus about 140,000 trips to transfer patients between medical facilities.
