This guide describes ambulances in general. What the ambulance for your trip carries, and who travels with the patient, is confirmed by our dispatcher before you book.
A reliable service answers plainly: what vehicle, who travels, how long, how much. If you cannot get those four answers on the phone, call another.
Seven checks
- Does a person answer, day and night? Try the number before you need it.
- What vehicle will come? Ask for the type: basic, AC, ICU, NICU or freezer van. See types of ambulance.
- Who travels with the patient? A driver only, or a trained attendant? See crew training.
- How long until it arrives? A real answer mentions traffic. Be wary of fixed promises.
- What is the full fare? Ask for the fare including waiting time, before the ambulance leaves.
- Can a family member ride along?
- Can they take you to the hospital the doctor chose?
What a straight answer sounds like
“A basic ambulance with an attendant, about this long in this traffic, this fare including waiting, you pay at the end.” That is the shape. Vague answers like “we will see” or “pay what you like” are a warning.
Warning signs
- The fare is only stated after the patient is inside.
- The provider cannot name the vehicle type.
- The provider asks for money before sending the vehicle.
- No phone answer at night.
Government or private?
Both can be right. See private or government ambulance.
How we work
We tell you the fare before we dispatch. We tell you what we can and cannot do, and we answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See all our services.
Call 01919-339689 any time.
