What is a patient transfer ambulance?
It is a vehicle set up to carry stable patients who are not expected to need emergency treatment on the way. It has a stretcher and basic equipment, and its job is to move the patient comfortably and safely from one point to another. Turkish ambulance regulations define it as a class separate from the emergency ambulance; see the difference between the two.
Who is it for?
- Patients discharged after surgery or a long hospital stay
- Patients who cannot sit because of a hip, spine or leg fracture
- Bed-bound elderly people and home-care patients
- Patients attending regular dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or physiotherapy
- Patients going to hospital for an MRI or CT scan and returning the same day
One way, wait-and-return or separate return
| Arrangement | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One way | Patient is handed over, job ends | Discharge, admission, moving home |
| Out + wait + return | Vehicle waits at the hospital | Short scans and check-ups |
| Out, separate return | A new time is set for the return | Long or open-ended procedures |
Waiting time is part of the fee. If you do not know how long the appointment will take, say so and we decide together.
Discharge day
Discharges usually slip into the afternoon because paperwork has to be completed first. Book the ambulance for the estimated time the ward nurse gives you rather than a fixed morning slot. See the discharge day checklist.
From bed to bed
The crew collects the patient from the bed and takes them to the bed at the destination. Tell us the floor, whether there is a lift that fits a stretcher, how close the vehicle can park and the patient’s weight. Without a lift, a carry chair and extra staff may be needed: moving a patient from a building without a lift.
Regular appointments
For dialysis or therapy several days a week, a fixed weekly schedule can be set so you do not have to call each time: transfers for dialysis and regular treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I book?
Call as soon as the appointment or discharge date is known. Same-day requests are met subject to vehicle and crew availability.
What if the appointment runs over?
If the vehicle is waiting, the waiting time and fee increase. For open-ended procedures a separate return is usually the better option.
Does a wheelchair user need an ambulance?
Not always. If the patient can sit safely and can leave the building, an ambulance may not be required. Describe the situation and we decide together.