Some emergency patients in hospital have specialist care needs that can only be met in a regional NHS hospital. These patients need to be moved safely and rapidly. This is called a time-critical inter-hospital transfer.

Since 2017, we have formally provided these transfers for adults and children from hospitals in Dorset and Somerset, in close collaboration with the ambulance service and regional critical care and trauma networks. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our inter-hospital transfer capability has been fully maintained, substantially supporting patients who have needed our care. 

NEXT: Continued support for patients and their families