Terms & Conditions for Ambulance Transfers
Basis of Service
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of ambulance transfer services (“Services”) by Coast Medic Ambulance.
Services may include emergency, urgent, and routine patient transfers provided on an ad hoc basis to hospitals, primary care providers, care homes, organisations, and private individuals.
Each booking will be confirmed via written instruction, booking confirmation, or agreed dispatch request (the “Booking”), which together with these Terms forms the Contract.
No Contract shall exist until we have confirmed acceptance of the Booking.
Scope of Services
We provide:
- Emergency Transfers – time-critical responses, including blue light conveyance where clinically justified
- Urgent Transfers – clinically necessary transfers requiring prompt attendance
- Routine Transfers – non-emergency patient transport services
All Services are subject to clinical triage, operational availability, and risk assessment.
Clinical Provision
(a) Emergency and urgent transfers will be staffed by appropriately qualified clinicians, including a Paramedic or Registered Nurse, supported where necessary by additional crew.
(b) Routine transfers will be staffed by Patient Transport Crew or higher clinical grades, as determined appropriate.
(c) All clinical care is delivered in accordance with accepted standards of pre-hospital practice and, where applicable, Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulatory requirements.
(d) Our clinicians retain full clinical autonomy and responsibility for patient care decisions at all times.
Emergency Response and Blue Light Use
(a) Our emergency ambulances are authorised, insured, and equipped to operate under emergency response conditions, including the use of blue lights and audible warning devices.
(b) The decision to utilise emergency driving exemptions rests solely with the attending clinician and driver, based on clinical need and risk assessment.
(c) We do not guarantee response times and accept no liability for delays arising from traffic, weather, or operational demand.
Booking and Information Requirements
(a) You must provide accurate and complete information at the time of booking, including patient condition, mobility, risks, and any known clinical requirements.
(b) We reserve the right to re-triage, amend, or decline a booking where information provided is incomplete, inaccurate, or indicates a different level of care is required.
(c) Failure to provide accurate information may result in additional charges or refusal of service.
Patient Readiness and Handover
(a) You are responsible for ensuring that the patient is ready for transfer at the agreed time, including appropriate documentation, medication, and property.
(b) Delays caused by patient unavailability, incomplete documentation, or discharge issues may result in additional waiting time charges.
(c) Clinical responsibility transfers to us at the point of formal handover and transfers back upon safe handover at the receiving location.
Clinical Decision-Making and Diversion
(a) Our clinicians may alter the planned destination or escalate care where clinically necessary in the patient’s best interests.
(b) This may include diversion to alternative healthcare facilities or escalation to emergency care pathways.
(c) Such decisions are final and made under clinical governance. No liability shall arise from such actions where taken in good faith.
Charges and Payment
(a) Charges will be based on the type of transfer, clinical level required, distance, and time.
(b) Additional charges may apply for:
- extended waiting times
- out-of-hours services
- specialist equipment or crew
- changes to booking or patient condition
(c) Payment terms will be specified at the time of booking or invoice and must be complied with in full.
Cancellation
(a) Cancellations must be made as soon as reasonably practicable.
(b) Where cancellation occurs after resources have been allocated or dispatched, we reserve the right to charge in full or in part for the Service.
(c) If a crew has been dispatched, full charges may apply.
Delays and Service Limitations
(a) We will use reasonable endeavours to meet agreed timeframes but do not guarantee specific response or transfer times.
(b) We shall not be liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to traffic, weather, hospital delays, or system pressures.
Patient Safety and Behaviour
(a) We reserve the right to refuse or withdraw Services where:
- the patient presents a risk to staff safety;
- there is abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour;
- the environment is unsafe.
(b) Additional resources (including security or specialist crews) may be required in certain circumstances and charged accordingly.
Insurance
We maintain appropriate insurance, including:
- Public Liability Insurance (£10 million)
- Professional Indemnity Insurance (£10 million)
Evidence is available upon request.
Limitation of Liability
(a) Nothing in this Contract limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.
(b) Subject to this, our liability shall be limited to the value of the Service provided.
(c) We shall not be liable for:
- indirect or consequential losses
- loss of income or opportunity
- delays outside our control
Data Protection and Confidentiality
(a) Patient data will be processed in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
(b) Information will only be shared where lawful and necessary for patient care or legal obligations.
(c) All clinical records remain our property and are managed under our clinical governance framework.
Subcontracting
We reserve the right to utilise suitably qualified and approved third-party providers operating under our clinical governance standards where necessary.
Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction.