PTS plays a vital role within NSW Health, transporting over 250,000 patients yearly. When a loved one needs patient transport, it’s not just about getting from A to B – it’s about feeling safe, respected, and cared for along the way.
PTS provides safe and timely transport for patients who need to travel between health facilities, or from hospital to home, but do not require an emergency ambulance.
By caring for patients who don’t require urgent intervention, PTS eases pressure on paramedics and ensures NSW Ambulance remains available for emergencies.
This keeps the health system flowing – patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Bookings can only be made by NSW Health clinicians or authorised staff through the Patient Flow Portal (PFP).
Patients, carers, and family members cannot book PTS directly.
PTS supports patients and the wider health system with:
'Last week they brought home my 96-year-old mother who had been admitted to Emergency with swollen and painful legs. The officers treated my mother with great kindness, respect, and compassion. Both ladies were very pleasant and understanding as they changed my mother’s wet under clothes before delivering her home to me. Thank goodness for your staff. Without them, life would be very hard.’
— Patient’s family member
Delivered in partnership with 13cabs and Uber, HealthRide offers a practical alternative when a full PTS crew is not required.
HealthRide provides safe and timely rideshare or taxi transport for patients who are stable, self-caring and low acuity (Class E). HealthRide should only be used after other options have been exhausted, for example, when a patient can be picked up by family, friends or carers, or they can use public transport or arrange their own transport home.
HealthRide is for patients being discharged from hospital who meet all the following criteria:
By shifting low-acuity patients to HealthRide, our PTS crews can stay focused on patients who need clinical support, while ambulances remain available for emergencies.
When to use an ambulance, PTS, HealthRide, or IPTAAS.
For life-threatening or urgent situations, NSW Ambulance provides emergency medical care. If an emergency ambulance is needed, always call Triple Zero (000).
For non-emergency patients who still need a clinical crew for safe transfer between facilities or from hospital to home. Anyone requiring transport within 30 minutes or less is out of scope for PTS. Can only be booked by NSW Health hospital staff.
For patients being discharged from hospital, who are stable and can move about independently. HealthRide should only be used when a patient can’t be picked up by family, friends or carers, or if they’re unable to use public transport. Can only be booked by NSW Health hospital staff.
For patients requiring financial support to travel long distances for specialist care. For further information, please see the IPTAAS website .
Working with PTS means being part of a team that makes a real difference to health outcomes across NSW.
From our booking and scheduling staff to our on-road nursing and patient transport officers, every role plays a vital part in keeping patients moving safely between facilities and home. Together, we help NSW Health focus on what matters most – the patient.