12.1 Ambulance transport

12.1.1 With the exception of arrangements for medical emergency under paragraph 12.1.4 and special arrangements under paragraph 12.1.5, prior approval must be obtained in all cases before ambulance transport is used by an entitled person.

12.1.2 Approval for ambulance transport normally will be given where the entitled person:

(a) is a stretcher case;or

(b) requires treatment during transport;or

(c) is grossly disfigured; or

(d) is incontinent to a degree that precludes the use of other forms of transport.

12.1.3 Other than in exceptional circumstances, air ambulance will be approved only to transport an entitled person with acute medical and surgical complaints for admission to, or discharge from, a hospital.

12.1.4 The Commission will accept financial responsibility for the use of ambulance transport in a medical emergency for an entitled person if an office of the Department is notified on the first working day after the ambulance transport is used or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable.

12.1.5 Prior approval for ambulance transport for entitled persons is not required where the transport is provided under arrangements between the ambulance service provider and the Commission.