News

Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) is proud to announce the delivery of six new non-emergency patient transport vehicles and the official expansion of its internal Patient Transport Service, a significant investment in strengthening regional healthcare access and system efficiency.

The new vehicles, officially handed over at Baker Motors in Albury on 26 June, represent a significant milestone in strengthening AWH’s transport capability. This expansion will enable faster response times, improve patient flow across services, and reduce reliance on external providers, supporting a more coordinated and efficient patient journey.

“This investment is not just about vehicles – it’s about ensuring we can move patients safely and efficiently, with a service that’s coordinated, compassionate and tailored to their needs,” said Bill Appleby, Chief Executive Officer of Albury Wodonga Health. “As our region continues to grow, so too must our ability to deliver responsive healthcare. This is an important investment in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) for AWH and a meaningful advancement for patient access and care across our community.”.

Non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) supports patients who require clinical supervision during transit but do not require an emergency ambulance. This includes transfers between campuses, to specialist appointments, home discharges, and transfer to other health facilities and residential care facilities. With an average of 465 non-emergency transfers taking per month, strengthening internal capability has been a key priority for Albury Wodonga Health in meeting demand more efficiently and consistently.

The upgraded fleet includes five stretcher-capable vans and one SUV, all purpose-built to support a wide range of patient mobility and clinical needs.

The service expansion includes the recruitment of an additional 7.33 full-time equivalent staff, the introduction of more shifts, and a new three-year lease arrangement for two of the vehicles. It is expected that AWH’s self-sufficiency for NEPT will continue to improve from the current 82%, reducing pressure on both external providers and emergency ambulance services.

Linda Hudec, AWH Chief Operating Officer, said the delivery of new vehicles is the result of months of collaboration across teams. “This is a great example of what’s possible when clinical leaders, operations teams and local partners like Baker Motors come together with a shared purpose. It’s a success story not just for our health service, but for our entire cross-border community.”

AWH thanks Baker Motors for their support and partnership in delivering this milestone.

“We’re proud to partner with AWH to support a service that plays such a vital role in the region’s healthcare system,” said Martin Baker, Director, Baker Motors. “It’s great to see these vehicles making a real impact for patients and staff.”

This service expansion is a tangible demonstration of AWH’s commitment to building a more responsive, resilient and patient-centred health system; one that delivers timely care, supports clinical excellence, and strengthens health outcomes across every part of the journey for our cross-border community.