FAQ
Find answers to common questions about our ambulance services, event medical cover, patient transport, training courses, and recruitment. If you cannot find what you need here, please contact the Proparamedics team directly.
Q: Do Proparamedics respond to a 999 call out for service?
A: No. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) are the dedicated providers of 999 services. Proparamedics may be asked to assist NIAS with non-emergency services at times of high demand but we are not permitted at this time to respond to a 999 emergency call.
Q: How do I book a Private Ambulance service?
A: Booking a private ambulance transfer is simple. You can complete the contact form on our website with your contact details and a brief outline of your requirements, and a member of our team will contact you within 24 hours. If your enquiry is urgent or you would prefer to speak to someone directly, please call 028 9023 2373 or 07870 163227 and a member of our Operations Team will be happy to assist.
Q: What sort of information do you require when booking?
A: Our Operations team will be happy to guide you through the booking process. To help us assess your requirements and provide an accurate quotation, we will usually ask for the following information:
- Date and time of appointment or transfer
- Patient details including mobility status, medical conditions, medications or any specialist care required e.g. oxygen
- Pick up and drop off destinations
- Wait times if known
- Any access issues with pick up or drop off locations, i.e. steps, narrow staircases restricted access. (Please note: our staff do not operate hoists. If hoist use is required assistance must be provided by family or carers.)
- Any specialist equipment required, e.g. bariatric stretcher/wheelchair
Q: Are members of my family or a carer allowed to travel with me?
A: Yes. We are happy to accommodate a family member or carer as part of our service. Please let us know at the time of booking if someone will be travelling with you and advise us of any specific requirements they may have.
Q: Do you accept same day or short notice transfers?
A: Yes, we do accept same day and short notice transfer requests, subject to availability on the day. While we always recommend providing as much notice as possible to allow us to plan staffing and resources, we will always do our best to accommodate last minute requests where we can.
Q: Can you transfer patients with medical needs or reduced mobility?
A: Yes. We regularly transfer patients with medical needs and reduced mobility. Our transfers are staffed by appropriately trained clinical personnel, including FREC 3 and FREC 4 practitioners, with more advanced clinicians such as paramedics or nurses provided where the patients medical needs require it.
All staff are trained in caring for patients with reduced mobility and can assist using suitable equipment such as stretchers, wheelchairs or carry chairs. Our teams are also trained in oxygen therapy and patient monitoring to ensure safety and comfort throughout the journey.
Q: How much does a private ambulance transfer cost?
A: As a private limited company, our services are chargeable. The cost of a private ambulance transfer depends on several factors, including the distance travelled and duration of the transfer. A minimum charge of 4 hours applies, with the price increasing on an hourly basis thereafter.
The final cost may also vary depending on the level of clinical care required, with transfers staffed by higher level clinicians such as a paramedic crew costing more than those supported by a double ACA crew. We are happy to provide a clear quotation once we have details of your transfer.
Q: Are your vehicles fully equipped and insured?
A: Yes. All our vehicles are fully insured, maintained to a high standard and appropriately equipped for patient transport. Our services are delivered in line with relevant regulations to ensure the safety and comfort of patients throughout their journey.
Q: What happens if plans change or the transfer needs to be cancelled?
A: We understand that plans change. If a transfer needs to be cancelled or amended, we ask that you provide as much notice as possible. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled transfer time will be subject to a 50% charge, to cover staffing and vehicle costs already allocated. Full cancellation terms will be provided at the time of booking.
Q: Can I bring luggage in the ambulance with me?
A: Yes, we are happy to accommodate reasonable levels of personal belongings during your transfer. Please let our booking team know in advance if you will be bringing any luggage or any items that require special consideration, so we can ensure space and safety during the journey.
Q: Who will be accompanying me during the repatriation?
A: Transfers are staffed by appropriately trained clinical personnel, tailored to your needs. This may include FREC 3 or FREC 4 practitioners and where higher-level care is required, paramedics or nurses/EMTS will be provided. All staff are experienced in supporting patients with reduced mobility and medical needs throughout the journey, e.g. monitoring, oxygen therapy, medication management and assistance for reduced mobility.
Q: What if the patient needs to attend A&E on arrival?
A: Our crew will transport the patient safely to hospital. However, because this is a non – emergency transfer and not a 999 response, it may be that the patient will need to wait in the hospital waiting area until they are seen by a doctor, depending on the patient’s comfort and condition. Please note that any additional waiting time at the hospital with our crew may increase the duration of the transfer and therefore the cost.
Q: Can you transport a patient directly to a hospital ward?
A: Yes. For hospital-to-hospital transfers, we transport patients directly to the ward assigned by the receiving hospital. Ward allocation and admission are arranged by the hospital prior to the transfer, and our staff will ensure a smooth handover to hospital staff on arrival.
Q: Can you carry out repatriations booked through another company or insurer?
A: Yes. We can provide medical repatriation services even when your transfer is arranged through a third party, such as an insurance company or broker (e.g. Heart’s First). In these cases, we work closely with the booking company to ensure all medical, logistical and documentation requirements are met.
Q: Can you repatriate patients internationally?
A: Yes. We can arrange transfers within the UK, Ireland and internationally. Depending on distance and logistics, transfers may be by road ambulance or coordinated alongside flights or ferry journeys, ensuring appropriate medical support is provided for the entire journey.
Q: What happens on long – distance transfers that require overnight stays?
A: For long – distance transfers, if the journey requires an over night stop, our team can arrange for the patient to stay in a suitable hotel. Our staff can accompany the patient to ensure safety and comfort during the stay. Any overnight stays or additional rest breaks are factored into the overall duration of the transfer, which may affect the cost.
Q: How much does a medical repatriation cost, and what happens if plans change?
A: The cost of a medical repatriation depends on factors such as distance, duration and the level of care required. Transfers requiring higher level clinicians or specialist equipment may cost more. A detailed quotation will be provided once we have all the necessary information about your transfer.
If plans change, please give as much notice as possible. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled transfer will be subject to a 50% charge to cover staffing and vehicle costs already allocated. Full details of our cancellation policy will be provided at the time of booking.
Q: What types of events do you provide medical cover for?
A: We provide medical cover for a wide range of events including sports tournaments, concerts, festivals, corporate events, private parties such as weddings and community gatherings. If you have a unique event type, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Q: How do I book medical cover for my event?
A: Booking is simple. Contact our Events Coordinator via phone at 028 9023 2373 or email at events@proparamedics.com. They will provide you with a booking form. The form will ask for:
- Event date and times
- Locations
- Expected number of attendees and profile
- Type of event and activities involved
- Any specific medical requirements or risks
- Contact details for the event organisers
Once submitted, our team will review your request and confirm a quote.
Q: How much does event medical cover cost?
A: Our team will review the information provided on your booking form and agree with you the most appropriate level of cover for your event after completing a medical risk assessment. Factors affecting the cost include:
- The level of cover required (e.g., first aiders or paramedics)
- Whether a vehicle is required (e.g., ambulance, quad, people carrier)
- Distance to and from event
- Event duration
- Any specific medical requirements or risks
Q: How do I know what level of cover I require?
A: We can advise based on your event type, expected attendance and any specific risks involved. Our team ensures the level of cover recommended meets the best practice guidelines as outlined in the HSE Purple Guide www.thepurpleguide.co.uk/medical, providing the safety your event requires.
Q: What happens if someone needs medical attention or transport to hospital?
A: Our trained first aiders (FREC 3 and FREC 4 qualified) can provide immediate care for minor injuries or illnesses onsite. Where HCPC registered paramedics or NMC registered nurse/IHCD qualified EMT cover has been arranged, these staff are fully competent in managing prehospital emergencies and carry ‘999 level’ trauma and emergency equipment including full medical incident drugs bags.
If an ambulance is provided as part of your event cover, our staff can safely transport patients to hospital and continue medical care on route. If no ambulance is booked, our team will arrange transport via NIAS if necessary and remain with the patient, providing care until NIAS arrive on scene.
Q: Who can I contact if I have questions before booking?
A: You can reach our team directly via telephone (028 9023 2373) or email events@proparamedics.com (see our contact page). We are happy to discuss your event and recommend the best coverage options.
