Clinic Transport Services

Metropolitan Ambulance Service’s Clinic Transport Services provide numerous methods of transport for non-urgent patients. At times we may use contracted resources for clinic transport, however the overwhelming majority of these transports we perform ourselves.

Clinic Transport uses a combination of station wagons, small buses and a number of larger buses fitted with wheelchair hoists. These vehicles are crewed by single officers who have the necessary patient care skills training.

Ambulant (walker) patients must fill the following criteria:

• able to walk at least two steps
• can walk unassisted, or with the help of a frame or stick
• can travel comfortably in a seated position
• can climb two steps into a minibus, or comfortably enter and exit a station wagon with minimal assistance.

Wheelchair patients requiring transport can be accommodated in our hoist buses. The patient is lifted by hoist into the vehicle and may take his or her own wheelchair. All Clinic Transport Services vehicles are equipped with wheelchairs for use in assisting patients transfer to/from their residence.

Patients unsuitable for transport by Clinic Transport include:

• patients requiring intervening treatment monitoring, IV therapy, O² or clinical observations whilst in transit
• patients requiring transportation for psychiatric treatment
• transports directly to Accident and & Emergency Departments.

The service operates between 6:30am and 4:00pm Monday to Friday, and provides transport to:

• outpatients appointments (when approved by the hospital network)
• Air Ambulance
• x-ray
• specialist doctor’s appointments and procedures
• renal dialysis
• admissions and discharges
• inter hospital transfers
• radio therapy

In general, and by prior arrangement, one passenger may travel with the patient to an appointment. Return transport for the passenger cannot always be guaranteed.