This investigation into geographical proximity and population access to prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) in New Zealand focused on people living in the smallest geographical units, areas where research suggests there are opportunities to improve survival for residents who experience medical or surgical emergencies. For each geographical unit, the study researchers examined the proportion of the usually resident population with theoretical timely access to advanced level hospital care within 60 min, to identify disparities in geographical access. Analyses revealed that around 700,000 (~16%) of all New Zealanders do not have timely EMS access to advanced-level hospital care via road or air. These geographically marginalised people tend to live in areas of low-moderate population density. In particular, Indigenous Māori, European New Zealanders, older New Zealanders and those residing in the lower South Island were less likely to have timely access.
