St John rolls out Aussie-first

Bunbury patients will benefit from St John Ambulance's new multi-transfer vehicle, launched at the South West Health Campus on Friday.

The Australian-first vehicle will allow for the daily return of 10 patients from South West hospitals and nursing homes to facilities in Perth.

St John Perth area manager Phil Townsend said the vehicle was based in Perth but would visit Bunbury Regional Hospital twice a day, starting on September 7.

"It means that local ambulances can stay in the region to help the community rather than being in Perth," he said.

"There will be scheduled times that the vehicle will visit Bunbury so hospitals and other organisations can book patients in online."

Mr Townsend said the bus-sized vehicle had the capacity for five stretcher patients, four sitting patients, and a patient in a wheelchair.

"The vehicle has every piece of equipment that is in a normal ambulance so patients can know they are going to be safe with good clinical care," he said. "I can see it being rolled out in other parts of the State like the Wheatbelt."

Catholic Homes executive manager Julie Arnould said the vehicle could benefit clients at the organisation's Ocean Star Aged Care Facility.

"It will allow us to book appointments in Perth for our clients and know there is a regular day and time that we can take them up," she said.

"In the past, it has been difficult for patients to go to Perth for appointments but this improves accessibility for specialist services that don't operate in Bunbury."