Patient transport services

We can assist with transport enquiries for patients who need help attending medical appointments or treatments at Western Health. We may be able to arrange:

• non-emergency patient transport
• Red Cross Volunteer Drivers (metro and regional).

We can also provide you with information on other community transport services if needed. 

In an emergency, please call an ambulance on triple zero (000).

Non-emergency patient transport services may be available if you are clinically unable to travel to or from your appointment by other means. You must meet certain medical criteria, such as: 

• You require the use of specialised medical equipment contained within the vehicle.
• You require the clinical skill levels and qualifications of the staff in the vehicle.
• You have an illness or a disability that makes if impractical to use any other form of transport, for example, severe immobility or disorientation.

Government funding supports non-emergency patient transport for people who hold a current:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card.

If you don’t have one of these cards, we recommend having a current Ambulance Victoria membership.

For more information on non-emergency patient transport, visit the Department of Health website.

We may require you to have a carer or escort with you at your appointment. This is because our nursing staff cannot always supervise you in waiting areas. We will let you know when you make your transport request if you need to bring an escort.

Note: Aged care facilities require an escort at every appointment.

Non-emergency patient transport or volunteer services should not be used as an alternative to:

• taxis
• family members
• private vehicles
• public transport.

You may need to reschedule your appointment to a day when you can arrange your own transport. Western Health does not cover the cost of alternative transport.

We understand that parking near a hospital can be challenging. However, please do not use our transport services to avoid the difficulty or cost of parking.

If you need transport for these treatments, please discuss your options with your medical team or nurse.

Transport assistance
If you need to travel more than 100 km to attend an appointment, you and your carer or escort may be eligible for the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme. This scheme provides a small subsidy for travel and accommodation costs. For more details, visit the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme website.

For the general public

Contact the Transport Coordinator
Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm
Phone: (03) 8345 1157
Main switchboard: (03) 8345 6666​

Please request transport at least 5 business days before your appointment.

For care facilities or GPs

Western Health handles transport for specialist or pre-admission clinic appointments. To book, complete the online transport request form (using Adobe Reader) and make sure it is signed by a GP or Div 1 .

• If you are unable to submit the form, please email the completed document to
  WH-NEPT@wh.org.au.
• Please request transport at least 5 business days before the appointment.
• All bookings are reviewed for both transport and clinical suitability, and we may call you to find out more about your request. We will send an email to confirm once the booking is processed.

Ambulance Victoria handles transport for admissions for the following procedures:

• day or multi-day stay procedures
• treatment for chemotherapy or radiation treatment
• day urology and diagnostic-radiology or pathology
• cardiac testing or cath lab. 

You can request transport for these procedures by completing this form.

Have any questions?

We’ve prepared a help sheet to assist you in making your transport request.  

TAC (Transport Accident Commission)
If your visit to Western Health is due to a transport accident, you need to lodge a claim with the TAC. 

Please submit all necessary information as soon as possible to avoid delays in accessing any entitlements. 

If you do not lodge a TAC claim, you may have to pay the medical costs yourself. For more information, visit the TAC website.

WorkCover
If your visit to Western Health is due to a workplace accident or injury, your employer must file a claim through WorkCover. 

To be eligible for compensation, you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days. Please provide Western Health with valid employer details so that we can forward all associated accounts for payment. 

If the accounts are not settled by your employer, associated accounts will be forwarded to you for follow up or payment. For more information, visit the WorkSafe Victoria website.