About Us

The service is well respected in the community, Phil explains; the best part of his day is getting a “thank you” and a smile after safely transporting someone to or from their appointment.

“Patients see the Wellington Free uniform, they see the vehicle and they know they’re in good hands. It makes them feel safe and well cared for.

“It always feels more like a ‘thank you Wellington Free Ambulance’, not a ‘thank you Phil’, he says.

Patient Transfer Officers strive to set an example everyday by how they present themselves and how they demonstrate Wellington Free’s core values of kindness, togetherness, authenticity and leadership.

“Our organisation’s values capture what it means to be a Patient Transfer Officer perfectly. The role is very unique – the majority of our patients are regulars; they are people we get to know well and we often become a listening ear for them.”

Often patients are experiencing a lot physically and mentally, and sometimes the only person they will talk to outside of family or hospital staff is us, Phil explains.

Now with worries around COVID-19 Phil says, patients often share their fears and concerns during their journey with the Patient Transfer Service.

He praises the professionalism of his colleagues who continue to provide an empathetic ear.

“I’m really proud of the way my colleagues have presented themselves and managed in the current climate.” He and his colleagues are close – “it’s like family.”

“It’s the people who make Wellington Free what it is, be it staff or patients. You’ve always got someone looking out for you, whether it’s our frontline paramedics, Clinical Communications Centre team or your colleagues at head office. There is almost always someone who has had the same experience, good or bad who can offer words of support.”

Responding to COVID-19 has meant big changes for PTS with an increased need for Personal Protective Equipment.

With that said, Phil explains some things have remained the same.

“Patients will still be greeted with a friendly smile, albeit behind a mask, and will be treated with the same care and respect they deserve.

“We have a great bunch of Patient Transfer Officers who all put patient safety and wellbeing first in everything they do.”

It’s a rewarding job says Phil, and it’s given him the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

“It’s an eye-opening job, but one I wouldn’t change for the world.”