About Us

Abby was involved in a minor car accident, and it was this experience that led her to consider a career in paramedicine as she explains:

“I was impressed by the calm presence of the paramedics who came to a minor car accident I was involved in. It was minor but still stressful and scary – they were so reassuring and professional. I thought, 'damn, those people are cool, I want to do that!'”

So, her journey into paramedicine with Wellington Free Ambulance began.

"I keep people where they're most comfortable - in their own home"

Now 10 years on, Abby is thriving and loving the variety and challenges of her work. As an extended care paramedic Abby has completed training in addition to her original Bachelor of Paramedicine degree. This means she can provide specific treatments in the community, reducing the need for a hospital admission, keeping people at home.

“I'm able to give a course of antibiotics and provide certain treatments, like catheters or suturing wounds. If a patient’s condition isn’t urgent or critical it allows me to provide these treatments and keep people where they're most comfortable, in their own home. Not only is that good for the patient and their wellbeing but also reduces the pressure on our hospitals. I frequently collaborate with the patient's GP or medical centre and that is when the community pathways all work together for the best outcome and treatment for the patient.”

The 'dynamic' nature of paramedicine

Like many of her colleagues at Wellington Free, Abby loves the variety and dynamic nature of emergency
ambulance work.

“You’re several stories up in a high rise, and the lift isn’t working, and your patient is unconscious, but the
stretcher won’t fit in the stairwell, how are we going to get them down to the ambulance? You kind of have to
act like MacGyver, think fast, and use what you’ve got on hand to create a solution.”

“Each day, each patient, each environment is different – you don’t know who you're going to meet, to help,
what skills you’ll have to call on.”

Abby is extremely conscious of the importance of having no bias or judgement when approaching a situation or patient. As well as clinical expertise and experience, communication skills are absolutely essential.

“You’ve got to be able to connect and communicate with every type of person – their family, people who
are bystanders. There's no place for judgement, just putting what is best for the patient first.”

Support our paramedics like Abby

Abby is one of the 226 highly trained and skilled paramedics that provide emergency ambulance services to Greater Wellington and Wairarapa. A service available to anyone 24/7, 365 days a year - completely free of charge.

As demand for ambulance services continues to grow, ongoing community support is essential. In the past
year alone, Wellington Free responded to almost 54,000 incidents across Greater Wellington and Wairarapa – that's 1,203 more than the year before, and three extra people each day that needed help.

Right now we need your help to raise $200,000 this September.

Your donation is vital to ensure Abby and our crews have everything they need to respond when a medical or accident emergency strikes. Please donate today to keep the free in Wellington Free Ambulance.