PATIENT TRANSPORT POLICY (NON-URGENT)
Version
10
Name of responsible (ratifying) committee
Nursing and Midwifery Committee (NMAC)
Date ratified
19 May 2017
Document Manager (job title)
PHT Lead for Discharge Services
Date issued
13 June 2017
Review date
12 June 2019
Electronic location
Clinical Policies
Related Procedural Documents
Discharge Policy
Key Words (to aid with searching)
Patient Transport; PTS; Bariatric transport; Patient
transport services; Patient eligibility; Authorisation;
Ordering systems
Version Tracking
Version
Date Ratified
Brief Summary of Changes
Author
10
19.05.2017
Policy rewritten to be in line with SCAS contract
J Tonks
9
13.12.2011
-
-
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 1 of 13
CONTENTS
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ............................................................................................................. 3
1.
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 5
2.
PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................... 5
3.
SCOPE ........................................................................................................................................ 5
4.
DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................................. 5
5.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.............................................................................................. 5
6.
PROCESS ................................................................................................................................... 6
6.1 Eligibility: ................................................................................................................................... 6
6.2 Process for Patient Discharge ................................................................................................... 6
7.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 8
8.
REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION ............................................................ 8
9.
EQUALITY IMPACT STATEMENT .............................................................................................. 8
10.
MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS .................................... 10
APPENDIX A: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PATIENT TRANSPORT .............................................. 11
EQUALITY IMPACT SCREENING TOOL ......................................................................................... 12
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 2 of 13
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
This policy must be followed in full when developing or reviewing and amending Trust procedural
documents.
For quick reference the guide below is a summary of actions required. This does not negate the need
for the document author and others involved in the process to be aware of and follow the detail of this
policy.
1. Patient transport should be planned at the earliest opportunity as part of the discharge
planning process
2. If a patient has complex needs such as an out of area repatriation or a bariatric patient,
transport may require 48-hours notice
3. Prior to booking transport the patients care needs must be assessed, including mobility.
4. Non – Urgent Patient Transport bookings are made online via the SCAS portal;
https://pts.scas.nhs.uk/ptsonlinenew/frmMain.aspx
5. Urgent Patient Transport Bookings are made via 0300 123 9806
6. Issues with transport should be made at the earliest opportunity to the Duty Hospital Manager
on bleep 1118
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 3 of 13
NON – URGENT PATIENT TRANSPORT FLOW CHART
Yes
Is Patient able to utilise
private transport?
No
Patient to be supported
in achieving this.
No
Is patient eligible for PTS
transport?
Yes
Contact
the
Duty
Hospital Manager on
bleep 1118
Assess the Patients
mobility;
Walking?
Wheelchair?
Stretcher?
Bariatric?
Yes
Patients needs are
complex?
i.e. Out of Area Patient,
Bariatric Patient,
Stretcher patient going
home and has not
previously been
conveyed by SCAS
PTS or specific
equipment needs?
No
Phone the Patient Transport Booking
line on #6149 for advice and to make
the booking




Log onto the Patient transport booking
portal to place booking
https://pts.scas.nhs.uk/ptsonlinenew/
Follow prompts to enter patient
information
Ensure Patient and TTO’s are ready. Transport will arrive within 1 hour of the booked
time if booked before the day or within 4 hours of the booked time on the day.
Transfer Patient to the Discharge Lounge unless clinically inappropriate.
If an Estimated time of arrival is required please use the online portal or call 0300
0135 003.
Should any issues arise please ensure early escalation to the Duty Hospital Manager
on bleep 1118.
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 4 of 13
1. INTRODUCTION
This document will set out the eligibility, booking and escalation process relating to the booking
of non-urgent patient transport. This Policy is inclusive of inpatient transfers to other hospitals,
care facilities and discharges to a patient’s own home. This policy also covers the transfer of
mental health patients
The document does not cover patient transport bookings for outpatient appointments or daydialysis patients.
2. PURPOSE
See above.
3. SCOPE
This policy applies to all staff involved in authorising and ordering patient transport services.
‘In the event of an infection outbreak, flu pandemic or major incident, the Trust recognises
that it may not be possible to adhere to all aspects of this document. In such circumstances,
staff should take advice from their manager and all possible action must be taken to
maintain ongoing patient and staff safety’
4. DEFINITIONS






A Non – Urgent patient is one who, whilst requiring treatment, which may or may not be of
a specialist nature, does not require an immediate or urgent response.
A Trained crew consists of an IHCD Ambulance technician, a paramedic or an Ambulance
Nurse.
An Untrained crew consists of either Emergency Care Assistants or Ambulance Care
Assistants.
An Urgent patient is one whose clinical need requires rapid transfer/movement in order to
meet their clinical needs, as decided by a Doctor or senior clinician, the timescale is either
within one hour or within four hours.
An Emergency patient is one who requires an 8 minute Blue light response due to their
clinical need.
A Secure patient is one whom is under a Mental Health Section and requires a specially
trained crew in order to safely transfer the patient to a mental health setting.
5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff Nurse/Health Care Support Workers:
It is important that as part of discharge planning discussions, the patient and family are involved
in discussing the most suitable way of transporting the patient home, encouraging patient
independence with support from family. If transport is required the nurse looking after the
patient must also assess the mobility level of the patient to ensure the correct booking is made
Doctor in Charge of Patient care:
The Doctor in charge must ensure that the team has completed the discharge summary and
TTO’s. The Doctor must oversee the appropriate booking of urgent transport based on the
patient’s clinical condition or acuity.
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 5 of 13
Ward Manager/ Nurse in charge of clinical area
Ensure EDD’s are correctly identified during the Board Round. Oversee the booking of
transport, promoting patients own transport and maximizing the use of the Discharge Lounge.
Ensure staff in ward area have access to online booking portal.
Duty Hospital Manager
The Duty Hospital manager will provide support and oversight in order to resolve issues relating
to transport and the safe and expedient discharge of patients
PHT Lead for Discharge Services
Will ensure on-going review around the fitness of purpose of the Non - Urgent Patient Transport
service, where appropriate escalating concerns to the CCG.
6. PROCESS
6.1 Eligibility:
Patients who are registered with GP’s within the CCG area and;
Whose medical condition is such that the patient requires the skills support of Non – Urgent
Patient Transport staff during or after the journey and/or it would be detrimental to the pts
condition or recovery to travel by other means.
Or:
The patient’s medical condition affects the patient mobility to such an extent that the patient
would be unable to access healthcare and/or it would be detrimental to the patient’s condition
or recovery to travel by other means.
Transport is provided under the CCG contract by SCAS NHS Foundation Trust.
If there is any dispute about the eligibility of a patient, please discuss with the Duty Hospital
Manager on bleep 1118.
6.2 Process for Patient Discharge
As part of the Patient Flow Bundle - SAFER, focus is given to having an accurate Expected
Date of Discharge (EDD)
It is important as part of the discharge planning process that conversations take place with the
patient and their families or care providers to establish how the patient will leave the hospital
Prior to booking hospital transport, it should be established that the patient is eligible and that
they are unable to travel via their own means, which could be family, public transport or taxi.
Transport should be booked, aiming to enable the patient to be home before lunch.
Wards must book transport prior to transfer to the discharge lounge.
The transport should be booked via the online portal,
https://pts.scas.nhs.uk/ptsonlinenew/frmMain.aspx
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 6 of 13
or via #6149 phone service
The following transport categories can be booked:
Walker
Wheelchair
Stretcher
Bariatric
Patient able to mobilise independently
Patient requiring wheelchair to move, able to transfer
Patient not able to sit or transfer into a wheelchair
Patient requires special equipment due to a BMI of >40
When making the booking the following information will be required;
•
•
•
•
•
Name, Date of Birth, NHS number
Current Location
Mobility level (Walking, Wheelchair, Stretcher or Bariatric)
Infection Status
Address of destination - ensure this is current
The booking line must be informed of any special circumstances or if the patient Is for end of
life care to ensure appropriate privacy and dignity.
If transport is booked before15:00 for a next day discharge, a 45 minute time window will be
allocated for the Patient pick up
If transport is booked on the day of discharge, a four hour window applies
Bariatric patients or patients with complex needs may require up to 48 hours notice
An estimated time of transport arrival can be obtained via the online portal or by calling 0300
0135 003
It must be ensured that patients are ready for collection. If there are issues with this i.e. TTO’s
not being ready, escalate to the Duty Hospital Manager on bleep 1118
Transport services operate from 0800 - 2300.
The latest a booking can be made is 18:00
Journeys requiring risk assessment
The following patients will need to be booked with 24 hours notice to enable a transport risk
assessment to take place:
-
Patients travelling home by stretcher who have not previously done so
Bariatric Stretcher Patients
Bariatric Wheelchair patients
Urgent Patient Transport
When the clinician in charge of a patients care is of the opinion that the patient requires transfer
to another unit an urgent booking may be made.
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 7 of 13
Prior to booking the clinician in charge of the patients care must decide on the clinically
appropriate timescale. If this is an 8 minute ‘blue light’ emergency response then the SCAS call
handler must be made aware of this at the start of the call
A booking can be made via 0300 123 9806, the following information must be provided;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Name, Date of Birth, NHS number
Current location
Mobility level
Infection Status
Address of destination – ensure this is current
Any Escorts travelling
Patients Presenting complaint
Timescale, i.e. 4 hours, 1 hour or 8 minute response
Trained or Untrained Crew
Monitoring or Treatment required during the journey
Secure Transport
In circumstances where a patient is detained on a Mental Health Section or depending on
patient need; is an informal patient requiring admission to a mental health unit, secure transport
will be required. This is NOT provided under the current SCAS NHS Foundation Trust contract
A risk assessment must be undertaken in conjunction with the Nurse in Charge and Doctor
responsible for the patients care.
The Duty Hospital Manager must be contacted on bleep 1118 prior to the booking of mental
health transport to ensure the legal transfer of section paperwork is completed.
Secure transport can be provided by the following services;
Criticare Ambulance 0844 351 0684
UKSAS 01329 225 040
All original Mental Health Section paperwork MUST travel with the patient
7. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
It is the responsibility of all CSC operational and clinical staff who has this within their role to be
able to book transport, therefore departmental induction programmes should over the patient
transport ordering process
8. REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION
Appendix A – Eligibility Criteria Summary
9. EQUALITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 8 of 13
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as is reasonably
practicable, the way we provide services to the public and the way we treat our staff reflects
their individual needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on any grounds.
This policy has been assessed accordingly
Our values are the core of what Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust is and what we cherish. They
are beliefs that manifest in the behaviours our employees display in the workplace.
Our Values were developed after listening to our staff. They bring the Trust closer to its vision
to be the best hospital, providing the best care by the best people and ensure that our patients
are at the centre of all we do.
We are committed to promoting a culture founded on these values which form the ‘heart’ of our
Trust:
Respect and dignity
Quality of care
Working together
Efficiency
This policy should be read and implemented with the Trust Values in mind at all times.
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 9 of 13
10.
Minimum
requirement to be
monitored
Transport issues
to be raised by
Datix
MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS
Lead
Tool
Frequency of Report
of Compliance
Josh Tonks
Datix
Quarterly
Reporting arrangements
Policy audit report to:

NMAC
Lead(s) for acting on
Recommendations
PHT Lead for Discharge
Services
Policy audit report to:

Policy audit report to:

This document will be monitored to ensure it is effective and to assure compliance.
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 10 of 13
APPENDIX A: Eligibility Criteria for Patient Transport
Eligibility
Eligibility will be determined by a healthcare professional



The patient is an inpatient requiring transfer to another hospital
The patient requires continuous intravenous support
It would be detrimental to the patient’s condition or recovery to travel by any other
means
 Patients should require the skill or support of the PTS staff on or just after the journey
 Patients would be unable to access their required healthcare by any other means of
travel
 Patients would be unable to access their required healthcare by any other means of
travel
 Patients have no alternative means of private transport** and will experience side
effects as a result of the treatment they will receive
** Private transport can be any privately owned vehicle, friends, family, and community
schemes, this can include taxis.
Escorts
Escorts can only be provided if the following criteria are adhered to:



The patient’s clinician must request an accompanying person
The escort provides a skill or support to the patient which PTS would be unable to
routinely supply. This can cover both emotional and/or physical or technical support
Be a recognized parent/guardian where a child is conveyed
SCAS Document: SHIP-NEPTS-Aug-16
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 11 of 13
EQUALITY IMPACT SCREENING TOOL
To be completed and attached to any procedural document when submitted to the
appropriate committee for consideration and approval for service and policy
changes/amendments.
Stage 1 - Screening
Title of Procedural Document: Patient Transport Policy (Non-Urgent)
Date of Assessment
08 May 2017
Responsible
Department
Discharge Services
Name of person
completing
assessment
Josh Tonks
Job Title
Duty Hospital Manager
Does the policy/function affect one group less or more favourably than another on the basis
of :
Yes/No
 Age
No
 Disability
No
Comments
Learning disability; physical disability; sensory
impairment and/or mental health problems e.g.
dementia
 Ethnic Origin (including gypsies and travellers)
No
 Gender reassignment
No
 Pregnancy or Maternity
No
 Race
No
 Sex
No
 Religion and Belief
No
 Sexual Orientation
No
If the answer to all of the above questions is NO,
the EIA is complete. If YES, a full impact
assessment is required: go on to stage 2, page 2
More Information can be found be following the link
below
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 12 of 13
Stage 2 – Full Impact Assessment
What is the impact
Level of
Impact
Responsible
Officer
Mitigating Actions
(what needs to be done to minimise /
remove the impact)
Monitoring of Actions
The monitoring of actions to mitigate any impact will be undertaken at the appropriate level
Specialty Procedural Document:
Specialty Governance Committee
Clinical Service Centre Procedural Document:
Clinical Service Centre Governance Committee
Corporate Procedural Document:
Relevant Corporate Committee
All actions will be further monitored as part of reporting schedule to the Equality and Diversity
Committee
Patient Transport Policy (Non-urgent)
Version: 10
Issue Date: 13 June 2017
Review Date: 12 June 2019 (unless requirements change)
Page 13 of 13