A Patient Transport Service (PTS) typically refers to a non-emergency ambulance service that helps individuals who need to go and come back from healthcare centers but are unable to use public or private transportation due to their medical condition.
Patient transport ambulance services are equipped with essential medical supplies and resources needed for patients who require medical assistance during their journey.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS SERVICE?
This service is designed for the elderly, disabled, or people with a medical condition which deems themselves unable to use any other type of transport and require medical assistance or specialized support.
This includes patients who have to attend hospital or outpatient clinic appointments, those being discharged, or admitted. Private ambulance and patient transport companies, affiliated with the NHS or other healthcare providers, offer this service.
BENEFITS OF PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICE
Read below what benefits a PTS serves:
Non-Emergency Transport
This service is available for non-emergency patients, such as those who have an appointment at an outpatient clinic or with a healthcare provider, and for patients being admitted or discharged to a hospital.
Accessibility
Patient transport services have access to personalised healthcare services by providing a reliable and accessible mode of transport.
Specialised Support
Such services offer specialized services during the journey as per the patient’s medical condition. These include medical assistance in the form of wheelchair access, oxygen support, or mobility assistance, etc.
Pick-up and drop-off service
Many patient transport services offer door-to-door services, transporting patients to and from their homes to the healthcare center.
How do they differ from regular ambulances?
Patient transport services are most commonly used for non-emergency situations, while ambulances are for emergencies. Additionally, patient transport vehicles are specialised to provide a comfortable and convenient journey to or from the hospital, while regular ambulances focus on immediate medical care.