About Us

“We care about you, and want you to have a great time, but we also want you to take care and stay safe,” Dave says.

“Whether you’re staying home, heading to the beach or tramping in the bush, incidents can happen anywhere. Allergies, seasonal viruses, infections and chronic conditions can also make situations more complex. It’s important to be careful and look out for one another," he says.

Andy and Dave share with us their top tips on staying well and looking after whānau and friends this summer.  

• Take care in the sun. Wear your sunglasses and sunscreen, drink plenty of water and find some shade to avoid overheating. Heat illness can range from dehydration and exacerbation of chronic diseases to heat stroke.
• If you’re out in the bush have a plan, know your limits, and tell people where you’re going.  Beware of the weather, and take the right equipment and supplies with you. If you have a personal locator beacon be sure to have it on you.
  
  
• With the ongoing bushfires in Australia and smoke travelling to New Zealand be aware of wheezing, particularly if you already suffer from respiratory difficulties, and smuts in the eyes from fire pollutants. The atmosphere and conditions change day by day depending on weather conditions, so remain mindful.
  
  
• There is always lots of movement on the roads over the summer period, with people coming in and out of the region early mornings and late at night. When you’re ready to set off, plan your trip, allow plenty of time for the journey and take regular breaks.  Watch your speed, drive sober, drive to the conditions and avoid distractions such as cell phones.
  
  
• If heading to the coast, like many kiwis do, take care and keep an eye on those swimming, especially children.  Be aware of tides and rips, and only swim between the flags.
  
  
• Remember to take it easy, keep up with regular exercise, eat balanced and healthy meals and be mindful of alcohol consumption. Stay well and look after yourself.
  
  
• Be sure to be prepared and check out what emergency services are operating in your area. Have all your medications sorted and prescriptions picked up ahead of the holidays and some services made be closed for a period.

Andy explains that even with all our advice and tips, if you think you need our help don’t hesitate to call 111.

“We’re here for you when you need us most. If you’re not sure, call 111 and our emergency medical call takers will work out the best help. If your situation is life-threatening or time-critical, you’re our priority. If you need our care but it’s safe to wait, bear with us and we’ll be with you when we can," he says.

"To ensure we get the right help to you in the best possible time you might get a call from one of our paramedics or nurses to get more information and understand what’s happening for you. They may ask if you have alternative means to transport to hospital. If there are going to be significant delays, we’ll call you back to see if your situation has changed," he says.

We’re here for you this summer, but looking after yourself and each other is really helpful too.