scope:

This standard applies to all modes of road vehicle where ambulance provision is the primary capability of the vehicle, and to aircraft and marine craft specifically equipped for ambulance provision when being used for that purpose.

It applies to any organisation or person delivering clinical care to a patient, and that also:

(a) Provides an ambulance service (as defined by this standard);

(b) Provides clinical care during transfer of patients to or between healthcare facilities, or other planned locations. This includes district health board staff travelling in an ambulance provider's vehicle or aircraft. Such district health board staff shall have their own governance and reporting structure;

(c) Uses the expression ambulance, paramedic, or medic to describe its staff or services;

(d) Operates an emergency vehicle (ambulance) as defined by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA);

(e) Provides an ambulance service to transport acute or admitted hospital patients (such as patient transfer services and health transfer services);

(f) Provides a first response on behalf of an ambulance service that exceeds the level of first aid unless contracted directly with the Crown;

(g) Operates an ambulance clinical communication centre (ACCC);

(h) Provides clinical services for mass gatherings or events; or

(i) Provides clinical care of patients travelling on scheduled domestic or international commercial aircraft or chartered aircraft (excluding emergency or 'Good Samaritan' care).