27/05/2026
Winton Community – We Need Your Support
Our Christchurch Emergency Call Centre receives, on average, around 50 ambulance calls each month from the Winton area.
As a rural community, we face unique challenges. Winton Ambulance is staffed 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, with overnight coverage reliant on volunteers. The nearest hospital is approximately 30 minutes away, and the closest additional ambulance is based in Invercargill. At times, these crews may already be attending other patients across Southland when a 111 call is received, leaving our community vulnerable. Your support within the Winton community is greatly needed.
We are fortunate to have a small group of dedicated volunteers who provide local first response. These individuals step forward to help others in their time of need, while balancing full-time work, family commitments, and busy lives.
Could you help?
• Do you have availability in the evenings or overnight to assist if someone in your community requires urgent care?
Our fully equipped First Response Unit enables trained volunteers to provide immediate care and support until a transporting ambulance can arrive from outside the area.
Hato Hone St John provides full training, equipping our First Responders with the skills and confidence to care for both medical and trauma patients. This includes an internationally recognised First Responder qualification, endorsed by NZQA.
If you are interested in supporting your community and becoming part of Hato Hone St John, please contact:
• Debbie Blatch, Group Operations Manager Southland East - 027 287 8153
• Sandra Wilson, Volunteer Support Manager – 027 232 8479
This could be a life-changing decision — not only for you, but for someone in your community when they need help the most 💛💚
