St. John Ambulance has launched an appointment-based nonemergency transfer program that will provide door-to-door patient transfers for clients at home and in private-care facilities. The program features:
•    Appointment-based transfers that can be booked via phone or online. 
•    Stretcher transport to accommodate various needs.
•    Timely, economical service.

Currently, nonemergency patients may face wait times between 3 to 48 hours before a transfer service becomes available.

St. John Ambulance patient transfer attendants are medical first responders with experience in providing health care services, and vehicles are fully equipped with stretchers, stair chairs, and first aid and emergency response equipment.

The program will pilot over a 3-month period (4 April to 29 June 2016). Transfer appointments are currently available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays within the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. For more information or to contact your local branch, visit www.sja.ca [8].