Common situations
- Booked follow-up appointments, examinations or treatment.
- Returning home or to a care location after discharge.
- Regular rehabilitation or physiotherapy visits.
- Journeys to elderly centres, day care or community-support services.
Service scope
What is non-emergency health-related travel?
Non-emergency health-related travel is a planned medical or care-related journey that does not require immediate emergency care. General transport, Hospital Authority NEATS and the Auxiliary Medical Service's non-emergency ambulance transfer service have different eligibility and application processes. None replaces assessment by healthcare professionals.
Last reviewed: 8 September 2026
Non-medical support KareLynk may coordinate
- Organising the date, time, starting point, destination and pick-up and drop-off details.
- Coordinating enquiries about suitable non-emergency transport or escort support.
- Accompanying someone through registration, waiting and general procedures; helping collect medicine when authorised and feasible.
- Recording service progress and updating family members in the confirmed way.
What KareLynk does not provide
- Ambulances, emergency care or immediate medical treatment.
- Medical diagnosis, clinical judgement or nursing procedures.
- Decisions on behalf of doctors, nurses, therapists or hospitals.
- Insurance advice, guaranteed medical appointments or unconfirmed transport availability.
How do I apply for Hospital Authority NEATS or Auxiliary Medical Service transport?
Both require assessment by the relevant professionals, but their application channels and procedures differ. Neither can be booked directly through KareLynk, and KareLynk cannot approve an application.
- How do I apply for Hospital Authority NEATS?
- Ask staff at a Specialist Outpatient Clinic, Geriatric Day Hospital or ward. Healthcare professionals assess whether the patient cannot use other transport and meets the service criteria. The Hospital Authority information page linked below does not specify a single advance-application period. Check actual arrangements with the relevant clinic, Geriatric Day Hospital or ward.
- How do I apply for Auxiliary Medical Service non-emergency ambulance transport?
- Healthcare professionals or medical social workers must assess that the applicant cannot use other transport and meets the service criteria. Apply through a healthcare professional or medical social worker at least two working days before the service is needed, and call the Auxiliary Medical Service on 2567 3083 to confirm receipt. The service mainly prioritises journeys between home and Department of Health clinics or Hospital Authority general outpatient clinics. Other journeys remain subject to service criteria and resource limits.
- Does applying in advance and confirming receipt mean the journey is confirmed?
- No. Applying at least two working days in advance and calling to confirm receipt are Auxiliary Medical Service application steps. They do not mean acceptance, a promised response time or a confirmed journey. If an application is pending, cannot be accommodated or circumstances change, first ask the healthcare professional or medical social worker involved in the assessment whether other transport is suitable. General transport is not a substitute for clinical assessment.
When to call 999 or seek medical help
If someone is unconscious, has difficulty breathing, is bleeding severely, has acute or rapidly worsening symptoms, or you are unsure whether it is safe to wait, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. In Hong Kong, call 999 for police, fire or ambulance emergencies.