A long-running Timaru emergency department service has been saved by an independent operator after plans to axe it were announced last year.
After months of uncertainty, Timaru-based medical and safety training business Pro +Med NZ has stepped in as the new provider for the Timaru branch of Friends of the Emergency Department (FED) programme after Hato Hone St John announced in August last year that it would be pulling out as the provider of a number of community programmes.
The nationwide programme involved volunteers offering those in emergency departments food and drink as well as a bit of extra help and support where needed.
Pro+Med managing director Don Gutsell said the Timaru branch of the programme would be supported under the Pro+Med EMS Trust.
After hearing the announcement that St John was pulling out, Mr Gutsell spoke with Timaru Hospital and St John to gauge the situation and express Pro+Med’s interest in stepping in.
“I was told ‘I’ll get back to you’ because I believe the local St John wanted to try and keep it but I don’t think they were allowed.
“After several months of St John here trying to keep it, [the hospital] got a hold of me and said ‘Jacci [Tatnell] from St John wants to talk to you’.
“We had a meeting and began the discussions.”
The humanitarian factor of the FED’s programme was the reason Pro+Med wanted to ensure it kept going in Timaru, he said.
“We wanted to give back to the community and also to recognise that what [the FEDs volunteers] did, there is a place for it to happen.
“When you see what they do up there, it almost should be a paid job.”
Mr Gutsell said St John had been very helpful during the transition period.
“St John were good enough to give us all the documentation that they had for it.
“We just have to take their logo off and their name out of it and replace it, otherwise it all stays the same.
“One of the beauties of it also, which I’ve got to take my hat off to St John as I didn’t expect it, is that they have also gone and branded all the polo shirts with our branding, at their cost.”
Trust chair Robyn Smith said she wished to acknowledge the Timaru FED’s volunteers for staying on to work with Pro+Med.
“Without them, we can’t do it anyway.”
Just a month before learning it would be losing support from St John, the Timaru branch of the programme had celebrated 20 years since its launch.
Team leader Elaine Richardt said they felt very lucky and fortunate that the programme would continue in Timaru under Pro+Med.
“We’re thrilled, over the moon really. It was a shock when St John said they were cancelling it.
“We are very thankful that Pro+Med have come on board, it’s only been a couple of months, but they’ve been very helpful and welcoming. Hopefully we can do business for many years.”
It was still very important to have the service at hospitals, she said.
“It’s very appreciated from the staff, the patients, everyone.
“People will often say ‘oh, great job you’re doing’.”
It would be great to get a couple more volunteers on board, she said.
“If we could get another two or three that would be great.
“They just need to be compassionate, caring and we will show them the do’s and don’ts.
“We would like to get one or two men as well.”
St John community education national manager Jacci Tatnell said the organisation was pleased the difference the volunteers made at Timaru Hospital would continue under the support of the trust.
“While it was a difficult decision to transfer these services as a result of a new direction for the community health arm of the organisation, we are pleased Pro+Med value the impact the programme makes, which results in a great outcome.
“Hato Hone St John appreciates the support from Timaru Hospital that has made the transition to Pro+Med as seamless as possible for volunteers and the staff they support, as well as patients and whānau.”
Anyone wishing to express interest in becoming a FED volunteer can do so by contacting or visiting Pro +Med.
