The Changing Faces of New Zealand Primary Aeromedicine

Miss Prue Young1

1St John, Nelson, New Zealand

The primary Aeromedical services in New Zealand have undergone a rapid change in recent years. With the introduction of a required 24-hour response capability, under the updated National Ambulance Sector Office agreement, active from 1st November 2019, staff number are flying high.  Double crewed Paramedic or higher crews, with response times of 10 minutes during daytime hours, and 20 minutes overnight, are now required, and this has initiated a change.
This project aims to examine our Changing Faces. To look at the demographic data of staff working prior to the implementations of the contract requirements over the past two years. To look at the diversity among newly hired staff. To examine if there have been any changes in any demographics.
Anecdotally, females make up a small minority in aeromedicine in New Zealand, nor do we have an ethnically diverse workforce. Is this changing? Do we, or should we, be doing more?
By requesting staff data from each New Zealand primary Aeromedical provided, we examine the diversity as of 1st January 2018, and then post introduction of multiple new staff due to the implementation of significant roster changes, 1st January 2020.
Opening the discussion of diversity in New Zealand Primary Aeromedicine staff


Biography:

An Intensive Care Paramedic on the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter, working for St John New Zealand. I hold Postgraduate qualifications from AUT and the University of Otago from the Aeromedical school