Your responsibility

You are responsible for arranging and paying for the costs of your own transportation to home when you are discharged from the hospital after an emergency visit, appointment or hospital stay. “Home” may be either your place of residence, a retirement home or a long-term care facility (i.e., a nursing home).

You are also responsible for your own transportation arrangements and costs while you are in hospital and need to travel to an appointment that was booked prior to your admission, or is not related to the care you are receiving.

Using emergency medical services (EMS) or an ambulance

You are required to pay a $45.00 co-payment fee for being transported by a land or air ambulance if you have:

• A valid Ontario Health Card, and

• An emergency, life-threatening and urgent situation, or paramedic care is medically necessary.

However, if you do not have a valid Ontario Health Card, or if ambulance transportation is not medically necessary, then you will be charged the full $240.00 cost for ambulance transportation. Therefore, it would be less expensive for you to arrange for another form of transportation other than an ambulance if you are not facing a medical emergency.

Making transportation arrangements for your discharge

Please plan your transportation ahead of time with family or friends, or with private transportation services if needed. We aim for a discharge time of 9 am. If your ride is delayed, you will need to wait for pick up in a lounge or the lobby.

If friends or family are not available to take you home, or if you require special transportation, please make arrangements with one of the following:

• Taxi;

• Wheelchair taxi; or

• Private transportation services for patients requiring a stretcher.

View list of local transportation services.

Transportation to long-term care and other facilities

When you are to be transported to a long-term care or other facility, please notify the unit clerk of your specific transportation arrangements (including the time of pick up) at least 24 hours before discharge.

If you need help booking private transportation services, hospital staff can assist you. Please note that you will be charged a less expensive rate if you book the transportation directly yourself. The RVHS fee is $200 per trip.