Matakaoa PRIME
Article
The first time in over a decade, Matakaoa rural community, based at the top of the East Coast of the North Island, now have access to emergency medical response services, marking a significant milestone in healthcare accessibility. With the launch of this new response unit, whānau in this community can finally experience quicker life-saving medical assistance during emergencies, drastically improving their chances of better health outcomes. This new development from ACC, Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, StJohns and Ngāti Porou Oranga, brings much-needed relief to residents who have long faced the challenges of delayed medical care due to their remote locations.
In the remote Matakaoa community of Aotearoa, New Zealand, where the nearest hospital is a daunting three-hour drive away in Gisborne and ambulances take over an hour to arrive from Ruatorea, access to emergency medical care has long been a challenge. The area is devoid of pharmacies or paramedics, and families have limited access to GP services. The devastating cyclone events of 2023 only worsened these struggles, as the already fragile roading infrastructure was severely damaged, making travel nearly impossible, especially during extreme weather. However, with the introduction of Matakaoa PRIME, emergency services are now locally based in the heart of the community, ensuring that help is accessible when it’s needed, even in the most difficult conditions.
Matakaoa PRIME (Primary Response in a Medical Emergency) consists of local community-based clinicians who act alongside first responders, stabilising patients while awaiting an ambulance or helicopter. Access to emergency medical services is crucial, as it significantly reduces mortality and disability, making the introduction of Matakaoa PRIME a life-saving advancement. However, unlike city-based emergency services that operate 24/7, Matakaoa PRIME is available only during clinic hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, highlighting the sobering reality of limited access to rural medical services. The Matakaoa area, which includes the townships of Potaka, Wharekahika, and Te Araroa, is home to approximately 300-400 people, 94% of whom are Māori. While the service does not run around the clock, it enables Primary Care to reach and treat more patients within the community.
“Ngāti Porou Oranga are pleased to support our teams in upskilling and joining forces with first responders and Hato Hone to increase access to care. This is a small step to try and address preventable mortality for the farthest settlements of the Ngāti Porou catchment” Sonya Smith, Director of Health, Ngāti Porou Oranga
Matakaoa PRIME is funded by ACC and Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, administered by St Johns, and led by Ngāti Porou Oranga, the primary care provider across the Ngāti Porou tribal boundary—one of only two Māori healthcare providers in the country. Research indicates that in New Zealand, geographically marginalised groups, particularly rural and remote communities with a higher proportion of Māori and older adults, face significantly poorer access to emergency medical services and advanced-level hospitals. Approximately 700,000 New Zealanders live without timely access to these crucial services, primarily in low to moderately populated areas, with Māori communities disproportionately affected. Matakaoa PRIME exemplifies a successful community partnership between health providers, reinforcing that the safety and wellbeing of these communities are at the core of emergency medical response efforts.
“The PRIME services uses the expertise of local specially trained rural GPs and nurses, offering critical support to the ambulance service in regions where response times may otherwise be extended or where additional clinical skills are needed to improve patient outcomes.” Stephen Graham, Hato Hone St John PRIME Services Manager
Geographical Service Area: Potaka, Waikura Valley, Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, Horoera and Whakaangiangi.
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Emergency Services: Dial 111
