The Patient Care Service (PCS) is the non-emergency tier of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) providing non-emergency patient transport services across Northern Ireland. Further information for patients using the PCS can be accessed by clicking here

Forming an integral part of NIAS, PCS allows patients with a medical need to access outpatient and other services at NHS hospitals. Many of these patients are vulnerable and are dependant upon PCS for their transport needs. In an average year, the PCS covers 2.12 million miles and last year transported more than 218,000 patients' to facilities all over Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service provides transport for patients:

Attending outpatient appointments at hospital;
Requiring investigation or treatment at hospital;
Being admitted to hospital;
Being transferred between hospitals;
Being discharged from hospital.

In all cases patients do not require the Accident and Emergency Service.

Patients for whom ambulance transport cannot be provided include:

• Patients going on holiday or for recreational purposes;
• Patients who do not qualify on medical grounds but cannot financially afford public transport;
• Patients travelling from home to Private Nursing Homes or vice-versa except where there are contractual obligations to do so.

The PCS operates in a challenging environment where staff can fulfil their aspirations in delivering a high level of care to patients. PCS staffs assist also Accident and Emergency crews in dealing with patients who have need of specialist vehicles.

Transport is often required when patients are discharged from hospital and the PCS helps to ensure that people leave hospital as soon as they are fit to do so.

Staffing and Vehicles

The PCS employs over 210 staff operating with over 110 vehicles from over 46 ambulance stations and other deployment points throughout Northern Ireland. Vehicles are dispatched and controlled from the Regional Non Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre at Altnagelvin, Londonderry. Serving a population of 1.7 million, the PCS, in addition to its daily role, provides support to the Accident and Emergency tier of NIAS when required. PCS has a vital role to play at the scene of major incidents such as multiple road traffic collisions and incidents involving multiple casualties.

Recruitment of Staff

Recruitment for the PCS is by a series of tests, including numeracy, literacy and involving the Highway Code and a driving test. Candidates must undertake an interview and undergo a process of vetting and a rigorous medical. Successful candidates must complete a one-week driving course and a two-week medical aid course leading to the award of Ambulance Care Attendant.

Further detailed career information can be found in the Section Working for Us.

Developments

PCS staff are encouraged to develop their personal skills and there is continuous on-the-job training. An Intermediate Care Service (ICS) crewed by PCS staff has been introduced to cater for patients who require a stretcher and oxygen. ICS also respond to requests from General Practitioners to transport patients to hospital who do not require the services of the Accident and Emergency service.

Patients going for cardiac surgery who require the assistance of a Cardiac Balloon pump avail of the Intermediate Care Service as do patients who are terminally ill.

The ICS also specialises in transporting critically ill neonatal and paediatric patients. These are generally transferred between hospitals, often as emergency requests and transported in specially designed transport incubators.

Many years of experience and knowledge have made the NIAS PCS staff sensitive to the needs of the patients they serve.

As a regional ambulance service we serve a wide range of communities and our crews are familiar with convoluted local road networks and driving safely in all types of traffic conditions.

The Patient Care Service plays a dynamic role in the care, management and transportation of patients to and from healthcare facilities. These patients do not require the skills or intervention of an Emergency Medical Technician or a Paramedic. The PCS provides a quality, caring service for those patients who may require transport based on medical need and who may require the use of a wheelchair or stretcher.

The role of an Ambulance Care Attendant is a physical job and consists of a considerable amount of lifting and handling of patients using a wide range of equipment. Although the role entails a high degree of driving, it is important to have compassion and consideration for vulnerable patients in order to be able to give them the care required.