Red Cross Patient Transport (VIC) provides transport with friendly volunteer drivers for eligible people to access essential medical services within Victoria, for up to six weeks. Clients who need longer term support after six weeks should then make alternate transport arrangements.
The service operates Monday to Friday..
In regional Victoria, appointments must be between 10am to 2pm, subject to service locations.
In metropolitan Melbourne, appointments must be between 9am and 12pm.
Eligible clients must be:
referred by medical practitioners
unable to access other means of transportation (carers, family/friends or public transport)
able to walk unassisted, or negotiate at least two steps using a walking stick or frame
able to manage their own entry and exit into and out of a domestic passenger vehicle
able to sit comfortably for an extended period in a domestic passenger vehicle with other passengers
The program supports access to essential medical appointments only, such as diagnostic testing, surgery, dialysis, oncology, etc.
Clients requiring intravenous therapy, oxygen or monitoring during transit are not eligible.
If a client uses a wheelchair, an accompanying carer must take responsibility for the loading and unloading of the wheelchair into the vehicle (subject to vehicle capacity).
In making a referral the medical practitioner must confirm:
the client is eligible for the service
the client has given consent for their information to be shared with Red Cross
the appointment is for essential medical services and within the specified service times
