Transportation to & from Hospital

Transportation is a vital link within the health-care system. Whether you need transportation to hospital, a long-term care facility, or a medical appointment, there are transportation resources available to meet your needs.

Getting to where you need to be can involve a mix of public and private service providers. The goal is to match the transportation resource to your care needs in a timely and cost-effective manner.

It’s your responsibility to organize and pay for your trip from your private residence to your appointment or service, even if it means travelling outside of your community. Services in your community may be available to support your transportation needs.

Learn how to get to the hospital in an emergency and the process of travelling from one hospital or facility to another. Search for a hospital in our Location Directory to find where your nearest hospital is located and map out your journey, and view our public parking rates for our paid parking sites below.

You are responsible for your own transportation home (to a private residence, long-term care facility, etc.) when you leave the hospital, even if you are a long way from home. Your costs will depend on how much medical supervision you need. Some health authorities have travel assistance programs in place for those who need them. For information, contact the social worker at your hospital.

• If you need medical care: You will need to travel by ground or air ambulance (as appropriate) and will be charged $80 (fee waived if on Income Assistance or MSP Premium Assistance). Patients without MSP coverage may be subject to a non-subsidized fee.

• If you do not need medical care, but are not well enough to travel by private or commercial transport (e.g., private vehicle, bus or plane): The hospital may recommend that you use a contracted local patient transfer service (Medi-Van, etc.). You will be charged $60 for this service (fee waived if on Income Assistance or MSP Premium Assistance). If there is no contracted local provider in your area, the hospital may recommend you use an ambulance for transport and you will be charged $80.

• If you are well enough to travel by private or commercial transport (e.g., private vehicle, bus or plane): You are responsible for organizing and paying for your journey home, even if you are a long way from home. For example, if you have been transferred by air ambulance to Kelowna General Hospital for cardiac services or surgery, and you are discharged from there, it is your responsibility to organize and pay for your trip home. Community services may be available to support your transportation needs.

In the unfortunate circumstance that a family member passes away while in hospital, the family is responsible for organizing and paying to have the deceased returned home. The social worker on the unit can help support the family at this time.