We will:
- Provide assistance to patients in preparing for the journey.
- Check that patients carry medication, appointment card, doctor’s letter, etc. where applicable.
- Check that household appliances have been switched off, premises locked and that the patient has their house keys.
- Provide assistance, with or without the use of aids, in and out of the house, treatment centre and vehicle.
- Ensure patients are always attended whilst negotiating steps and stairs and when entering or alighting from the vehicle.
- Inform the relevant department of the hospital if the patient becomes unwell during the journey.
- Ensure that where required all hospital equipment is taken back to the site.
- If any patient is found in a life-threatening situation the Emergency Ambulance Service would be contacted immediately.
- Check that the patient has all their equipment, medication and personal items on discharge.
Patients catered for:
- Out patients
- Disablement service centre patients
- Routine discharges and admissions
- Geriatric and psycho-geriatric day care
- Renal patients
- Non urgent inter- hospital transfers
- and those unable to attend hospital by any other means.
Categories of patient catered for;
- 'Walker/Car'; patients who can manage their own mobility. (Category C1)
- 'Crew of Two'; for patients who need to be carried up or downstairs. (Category C2)
- 'Wheelchair Transfer' wheelchair user (Category C3)
- 'Wheelchair Travel'; travel in their own wheelchair (Category C4)
- 'Electric Wheelchair Travel' (Category C5)
- 'Stretcher'; require two staff and need to lie down. (Category S3)
A nurse or social escort can accompany any of the above categories if it is deemed necessary. A return journey may also be required for professional escorts who accompany patients being transferred or discharged and this will be taken into consideration.
A parent or other responsible adult may accompany all children under the age of 16 years.