Residents of a rural South Island community are thrilled St John has reversed its decision to discontinue the local ambulance service.
Rather than removing Murchison sole ambulance, St John announced it would add two more full time ambulance officers who will work from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Overnight, the ambulance will be crewed by volunteers who will respond to emergencies in the first instance, assisted by PRIME (Primary Response in Medical Emergencies) staff.
It's a stark difference from the original proposed change - which was to replace the ambulance, along with its paid emergency medical technicians (EMT), with a first response vehicle staffed by volunteers.
Newshub covered the decision in February, speaking to a PRIME nurse who said plans to scrap the service would likely end in death.
"It might not be straight away - but at some point, there will come a situation where it will mean the difference between living and dying."
A mother-of-three who also spoke to Newshub in further coverage believed her daughter would be one of those put most at risk.
Alana Cronin's young daughter Indi lives with epilepsy and reflex anoxic seizures.
"If she seizes for over five minutes or has a cluster, she needs urgent medical care and volunteers and a first response unit can't give that.
"It scares us a lot. It's putting our daughter's life at risk."
If Indi was to seize, the race to provide her with urgent medical care would be on - and Cronin didn't believe the proposed system would win that race.
Cronin told Newshub on Thursday the new system is "really good" compared to St John previous proposal.
"I think everyone is happy the ambulance isn't being removed completely."
She says while she's slightly apprehensive the service will only run to 8pm, she has no doubt community volunteers alongside PRIME nurses will help keep the community - including Indi - safe.
After a tireless campaign by community members, which included a town meeting with more than 100 residents, the reverse decision has been welcomed by residents and local MP Maureen Pugh.
The West Coast - Tasman representative said the change of stance is a "fantastic result" and one that is "so necessary".
"Thanks to St John for using this opportunity to try a new model."
St John district operations manager James McMeekin says it's been a "genuine consultative process".
"We have engaged and listened to the feedback from our people, health and emergency stakeholders and the community and we believe this outcome will provide a safe and effective ambulance service in Murchison and the surrounding area," he said.
A local Facebook group celebrated the "superb outcome" online.
"A positive outcome for Murchison and the wider community," wrote one woman.
"Thank you St John and to the Government for listening… finally we can all move forward now in a positive manner."
