Travel Assistance Support for Healthcare Professionals
Helping patients travel safely after discharge
Many patients are medically ready to leave hospital but are not ready to travel independently.
Whether the patient is returning home, travelling to rehabilitation, relocating closer to family, or transferring to another community, the journey itself can become one of the most challenging parts of the discharge process.
Portage helps healthcare teams determine whether commercial air travel is an appropriate option and, when it is, provides the support needed to complete the journey safely.
Is commercial air travel appropriate?
Not every patient requires an air ambulance.
Likewise, not every patient can safely travel on a scheduled commercial flight.
Our role is to assess the patient's circumstances, the proposed itinerary, and the level of support required to determine whether commercial travel is a practical and appropriate option.
That assessment considers factors such as:
The patient's medical condition and functional abilities.
Oxygen and medical equipment requirements.
Mobility and cognitive considerations.
The length and complexity of the journey.
Airline limitations.
The level of support required during travel.
If commercial travel is appropriate, we'll recommend the level of support required to complete the journey safely.
If it isn't, we'll tell you and discuss alternative options, including referral to an air ambulance or charter provider when appropriate.
Matching the level of support to the patient
Every patient is different.
Some require only an experienced travel companion to assist with airport navigation, mobility, and general support.
Others require a registered nurse or advanced care paramedic to provide clinical care throughout the journey.
When appropriate, physician oversight is available to assist with more medically complex cases and fitness-to-travel considerations.
Our objective is to recommend the level of support that the patient requires—nothing more and nothing less.
Supporting the discharge process
Once a travel plan has been established, we coordinate the details required to complete the journey.
Depending on the situation, this may include coordinating with the patient, family members, airlines, receiving facilities, ground transportation providers, and other stakeholders involved in the transfer.
Throughout the process, we keep the appropriate parties informed so everyone understands the travel plan and the patient's progress.
A practical option for many patients
Commercial air travel with professional support can often provide a safe and cost-effective alternative to air ambulance transport.
For appropriately selected patients, it allows individuals to return home or continue their care while avoiding the significant cost of dedicated aircraft.
Our role is to help determine when that option is appropriate—and when it isn't.
Who contacts us?
We regularly work with:
Hospital social workers.
Discharge planners.
Physicians.
Nurses.
Case managers.
Rehabilitation teams.
Patients and their families.
Insurance and assistance providers.
Some healthcare teams arrange travel directly with us. In other cases, they refer the patient or family to Portage so we can assess the situation, discuss the available options, and coordinate the journey directly with them.
Need to discuss a patient?
If you're planning the discharge of a patient who may require assistance travelling by commercial airline, we're happy to review the situation, discuss whether commercial travel is appropriate, and recommend the safest and most practical option.