Transport for Patients

Full Policy Attached Below

Emergency - Priority 1 - ‘999’

•  If it is deemed urgent, or immediate time-critical or life-saving intervention are required, it is classed as a ‘Priority 1’ admission and is a ‘999’ call.

•  Call ‘999’ immediately.

•  If the patient has attended the Surgery, they will be directed to the treatment room whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Whilst here, a healthcare professional must stay with the patient at all times, monitoring their condition.

•  If the patient presents with chest pain the defibrillator and oxygen must be available and ready to be used. All members of staff have completed training to use this equipment.

•  Occasionally EMAS will downgrade the priority 1 to a priority 2 because they consider a patient in a GP surgery to have access to life-saving medical equipment and treatment. 

Non-Emergency - Priority 2

 These patients are usually patient that have attended the surgery and require an urgent hospital admission, within 2 hours, but their condition is urgent but not immediately life threatening.

 EMAS should be called on 01522 781892.

 When making a Priority 2 call, the operator will ask for specific information which must be clarified with the Health Professional who is arranging the admission.

 This will include:

• Does the patient requires a qualified crew to transport them?

• Does the patient have any current infections which may affect the treatment they require?

• Name and date of birth of patient.

• Address which the patient is currently residing at, and where they are being admitted to. 

• Once the operator has taken all of the required details, they will give a reference number which must be recorded by the Surgery, in case of any queries regarding the transport booking.  The reference number which they give is recorded in the Transport folder which can be found in the filing cabinet in the Administration Office.

Non-Emergency - Priority 3

• • • These patients are usually patient that have attended the surgery and require hospital admission, within 4 hours, and their condition is not life threatening.

    • EMAS should be called on 01522 781892.

    • When making a Priority 3 call, the operator will ask for specific information which must be clarified with the Health Professional who is arranging the admission.

    • This will include:

  • Does the patient requires a qualified crew to transport them?

  • Does the patient have any current infections which may affect the treatment they require?

  • Name and date of birth of patient.

  • Address which the patient is currently residing at, and where they are being admitted to. 

Once the operator has taken all of the required details, they will give a reference number which must be recorded by the Surgery, in case of any queries regarding the transport booking.  The reference number which they give is recorded in the Transport folder which can be found in the filing cabinet in the Administration Office.