A struggle to secure GP visits could be playing a role in skyrocketing calls for ambulances. 

National ambulance data shows there's been a 30% increase in 111 calls for ambulances over the past five years.  

St John fielded more than 700 thousand calls for the first time last year and attended more than half a million incidents.  

Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quinn told Ryan Bridge minimal access to healthcare in rural areas is playing a role. 

He says St John is sometimes used as a "pseudo-GP" because it's the only access to health operating in the area. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A struggle to secure GP visits could be playing a role in skyrocketing calls for ambulances.&nbsp;
National ambulance data shows there's been a 30% increase in 111 calls for ambulances over the past five years. &nbsp;
St John fielded more than 700 thousand calls for the first time last year and attended more than half a million incidents. &nbsp;
Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quinn told Ryan Bridge minimal access to healthcare in rural areas is playing a role.&nbsp;
He says St John is sometimes used as a "pseudo-GP" because it's the only access to health operating in the area.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Mark Quinn: Ambulance Association National Secretary on the rising number of calls for ambulances

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7cc9e694-d3d4-4d91-8d4d-b3e00161c96d/transcript