Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A struggle to secure GP visits could be playing a role in skyrocketing calls for ambulances.  National ambulance data shows there's been a 30% increase in 111 calls for ambulances over the past five years.   St John fielded more than 700 thousand calls for the first time last year and attended more than half a million incidents.   Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quinn told Ryan Bridge minimal access to healthcare in rural areas is playing a role.  He says St John is sometimes used as a "pseudo-GP" because it's the only access to health operating in the area.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.