About Us

When she first saw the Patient Transfer Officer role advertised in her local newspaper, her first thought was: “I could do this.”

With her three children all grown up, Jo was looking for something to do and the role seemed like a good fit.

Having previously worked as a Patient Transfer Officer for the Wairarapa District Health Board, she was well-equipped with the skills to fill the role.

Wellington Free Ambulance became the ambulance provider for our Wairarapa communities in 2012.

Working for Wellington Free Ambulance for the last nine years and based in Wairarapa, Jo says the service is busier now, transporting more patients and making more trips every week.

“Sometimes patients can feel scared when you first meet pick them up, but once they have reached their destination they are more relaxed knowing they’ve got there safe,” Jo explains.

One time a patient gave Jo a lovely thank you letter and some chocolates – this made her day.

“The best part of the job is when you get a patient to their destination and they say ‘thank you’. Before COVID-19 some people would even give you hugs.”

The most challenging aspect of the job is making sure there is good clear communication and ensuring paper work is ready when picking a patient up or when leaving.

Jo says it’s been great working for Wellington Free as they are such a caring group of people. “We are all working together as a team to help people.”

For Jo, the role offers her a balance between working for a great organisation in a role she enjoys and spending time with her adult children and grandchildren who live nearby.