Bed-to-Bed Service
Our bed to bed service covers every stage of a patient’s journey, from the treating hospital’s ward to the receiving hospital, rehabilitation centre, care home or private address. Nothing is left to chance at the handovers in between.
Every stage, coordinated
- Collection from the bedside by ground ambulance, with a clinical handover from the treating team
- Transfer to the airport and assistance through departure
- The flight, by air ambulance or with a commercial medical escort, with care throughout
- Arrival and ground transfer by ambulance to the destination
- Bedside handover to the receiving medical team, with notes and a full report
Why bed to bed matters
Most problems in medical transfers happen at the handovers: between ward and ambulance, ambulance and aircraft, and aircraft and receiving hospital. Coordinating every stage means the patient’s care is continuous, the medical information travels with them, and everyone knows the plan.
- One point of contact for the whole journey
- Continuity of care from ward to ward
- Clear communication with both medical teams
- Regular updates for family members and case managers
Confirming the receiving bed
Before a transfer goes ahead, the receiving hospital, rehabilitation centre or care facility must agree to accept the patient. This usually means a clinician-to-clinician conversation, and sharing the latest medical report. We coordinate this, so the transfer doesn’t start until a bed is confirmed and the receiving team is ready.
The clinical handover
At each end of the journey, the medical team carries out a structured handover. They share the patient’s condition, treatment, medications, allergies, recent observations and any concerns, so care continues seamlessly. The patient’s notes, medication chart and any imaging travel with them.
- A handover from the treating team at the bedside before departure
- Continuous care and monitoring throughout the journey
- A handover to the receiving team on arrival, with notes and a written report
Ground ambulances at both ends
Ground transfers are carried out by licensed ambulance providers, with stretcher-equipped vehicles and trained crews. Depending on the patient’s needs, they can carry oxygen and monitoring equipment, and the flight’s medical team can travel with the patient in the ambulance, so there’s no break in care.
Before you book: a quick checklist
- Has the treating doctor agreed the patient is fit to travel?
- Has the receiving hospital or facility agreed to accept the patient?
- Do you have the latest medical report?
- Are passports and travel documents ready for the patient and any companions?
- Has the insurer approved the transfer, if insured?
Don’t worry if you can’t tick everything yet. We’ll help with each step.
Keeping families informed
Families are often far away from the patient and anxious for news. We agree how and when to update you, and keep you informed at the key moments: departure from the hospital, take-off, landing and arrival at the destination.
Transfers within the UK
Bed-to-bed transfers aren’t only for international journeys. We also coordinate transfers between hospitals and care facilities within the UK, by ground ambulance or, for longer distances, by air.
Who uses our bed-to-bed service
- Families bringing a loved one home after illness or injury abroad
- Insurers and assistance companies needing a complete, coordinated transfer
- Hospitals and case managers moving patients between facilities
- Care providers arranging a patient’s move to rehabilitation or long-term care
Equipment and hygiene
Stretchers, monitoring and medical equipment are cleaned and checked between patients, and the medical team follows strict infection control procedures throughout the journey. If the patient has a known infection, the medical team plans for it in advance, so the patient, the crew and the receiving team are protected.
A clear plan for everyone
Before the transfer, everyone involved receives the same plan: collection time, flight details, arrival time and the receiving team’s contact details. It means the ward knows when the patient is being collected, the receiving team knows when to expect them, and the family knows where their loved one is at every stage of the journey.
Paperwork that travels with the patient
- A medical summary from the treating doctor
- The current medication chart, including recent doses
- Recent test results and imaging, where available
- The receiving team’s contact details and acceptance
- Passport and travel documents for international transfers
The medical team checks the paperwork before departure, so the receiving clinicians have everything they need from the moment the patient arrives.
Our partners
Flights are operated by appropriately licensed air ambulance, and ground transfers by licensed ambulance providers. First Response Aviation Group coordinates the whole transfer, so you have one point of contact throughout. The operator’s details are confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about bed-to-bed transfers
Are ground ambulances included?
Yes. A bed-to-bed transfer includes ground ambulances at both ends of the journey, as set out in your quotation.
Can you arrange the receiving hospital or care facility?
We work with the receiving hospital or care facility to confirm the bed and the handover arrangements before the transfer goes ahead.
What if the receiving bed becomes unavailable?
We confirm the bed shortly before departure. If a bed becomes unavailable, we’ll work with the medical teams to rearrange the transfer, or find a suitable alternative, and keep you informed.
Can the patient go to a care home or private address?
Yes. The destination can be a hospital, rehabilitation centre, care home, hospice or private address, as long as the medical team agrees it’s suitable for the patient’s needs.
Who goes with the patient?
The medical team stays with the patient throughout, from the bedside handover to the receiving team. A family member can often travel too, subject to space and the medical team’s agreement.
How long does a bed-to-bed transfer take?
It depends on the distance and route. A transfer within the UK may take a few hours, while an international transfer usually takes a day, including ground ambulances at both ends. We give you a full timeline when we quote.
All medical information is treated in strict confidence and handled in line with our privacy policy.
To arrange a transfer or request a quotation, call our 24-hour concierge line on 01268 204 607 or send us a message.
Request a quote
Request a medical transport quote
Tell us about the patient and the journey, and we’ll come back to you with the right options and a clear quotation. For anything urgent, call our 24-hour concierge line on 01268 204 607.