Hato Hone St John Honours Control Room Staff During International Awareness Week

Hato Hone St John is shining a light on the essential work of its behind-the-scenes teams as International Control Room Week begins today, Monday 26 October 2026. The organisation is using the event to recognise the emergency medical call handlers, dispatchers, and clinicians who manage more than 2,000 calls for ambulance assistance every single day across Aotearoa. Operating from Integrated Operations Centres, these professionals perform critical tasks including patient assessment, resource coordination, and providing immediate clinical advice before an ambulance ever reaches a scene. Doug Gallagher, General Manager of Ambulance Operations – Integrated Operations Centre, noted that the public often only sees the final stage of an emergency response, while several professionals have typically already contributed to a patient's care. The work is particularly vital for Māori whānau living in rural and geographically isolated regions. For those outside major urban centres, distances and logistical challenges make the coordination between call handlers and ambulance crews essential. The ability of the control room to provide immediate guidance and match patients with the correct level of care ensures equitable access to urgent healthcare when emergency departments are far away. Hato Hone St John, which serves 90 percent of the New Zealand population, reminds the public that not every 111 call results in a vehicle dispatch. Instead, clinicians within the operations centres may connect patients with alternative healthcare services better suited to their clinical needs. International Control Room Week runs until 1 November, highlighting the rapid decision-making and expertise of these unsung heroes who support the frontline 24 hours a day.