Ambulance Safety & Patient Transport Guide

Keep the patient in a safe, comfortable position and try to keep the path to the entrance clear. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to move the patient at all, say so when you call — our coordinator can pass this on to the crew.

• The exact pickup location, with a landmark if the address is hard to find
• A callback number for someone at the location
• The destination, if you already have one in mind
• A brief description of the patient’s condition

The more clearly you can describe symptoms, consciousness level and any visible injury, the better our coordinator can discuss the right vehicle type. It’s fine to describe what you see rather than a formal diagnosis — the crew will assess further on arrival.

If available, gather the patient’s current medication list, recent prescriptions, allergy information and any relevant medical records before the vehicle arrives. For hospital transfers, a referral note or discharge summary is particularly useful for the receiving team.

If you already have a preferred hospital, mention it when you call. If you’re not sure, describe the patient’s condition and our coordinator can talk through nearby options as part of arranging the ambulance.

Let us know if the patient cannot walk, needs a stretcher, or uses a wheelchair, so the right vehicle and equipment are arranged. Also mention any doorway, staircase or lift access issues at the pickup location.

For ICU or ventilator-dependent patients, transfers are usually coordinated directly with the treating doctor or nurse, who can confirm the equipment and monitoring needed for the journey. See our ICU ambulance and ventilator ambulance pages for more detail.

If the patient currently needs supplemental oxygen or has a respiratory condition, mention the current flow rate and delivery method (mask, nasal cannula, etc.) when you call, so the appropriate vehicle can be discussed.

Outstation journeys take more planning — expected duration, rest stops, and backup supplies for the full distance. Share the destination city as early as possible so this can be planned properly. See our outstation ambulance page for more.

• What type of vehicle and equipment will be used
• Roughly how long the journey is expected to take
• Whether a family member can accompany the patient
• What documents or belongings should travel with the patient

Clear answers about the patient’s condition, any known allergies or medication, and a point of contact who can be reached during the journey. Cooperating with the crew’s instructions during loading and transit also helps keep the transfer safe for everyone involved.