Hospital-to-hospital patient transfers in the UAE: how they work

Sometimes the hospital a patient is in isn't the right one for the next stage of their care. They may need a procedure available elsewhere, a different level of intensive care, or treatment inside their insurance network. A hospital-to-hospital transfer moves them, with care continuing on the way. Here is how the process works in the UAE, and what families can do to make it smoother.

Who decides a transfer is needed?

Usually the treating physician. They decide the patient needs something their current facility can't provide, such as a cath lab, neurosurgery or a paediatric ICU, and refer them to a receiving hospital. Families can also ask for a transfer, for example to move a relative to a preferred private hospital or closer to home. Either way, a licensed transport provider like EMRS carries out the move, with clinical coordination at both ends.

How a transfer runs

1. Planning the handover

Before the patient moves, the transfer team reviews their condition: diagnosis, current support (oxygen, infusions, ventilation) and stability. That decides the vehicle and crew. A stable patient may travel with a paramedic crew, while a ventilated patient needs a full ICU ambulance with critical-care nurses.

2. Agreeing the timing

The receiving hospital has to be ready, with a bed assigned and the team briefed. A good transfer provider coordinates directly with both hospitals so the patient never waits on a stretcher in a corridor.

3. Care on the way

Monitoring continues as it did on the ward: vital signs, oxygen and medications on infusion pumps. The crew documents the journey and can reach a physician for guidance at any time, as part of proper medical oversight.

4. A documented handover

On arrival, the crew gives the receiving team a structured handover (condition, care given on the way, medication timings) with written records for the patient file.

Transfers between emirates

Specialist care in the UAE is concentrated in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so patients from the Northern Emirates regularly travel long distances: RAK to Dubai takes about an hour, Fujairah across the mountains 1.5–2 hours, and Al Ain to Abu Dhabi about 90 minutes. These journeys need proper planning: enough oxygen with reserves, medication for the whole trip plus a margin, and crews trained for long periods of monitoring. Local details are on our RAK, Fujairah and Al Ain pages.

How families can help

• Have documents ready: Emirates ID, insurance card and any medical reports speed things up at both ends
• Choose one contact person: a single family point of contact keeps communication clear
• Ask about riding along: one relative can usually travel with the patient; confirm when booking
• Check insurance cover: medically necessary transfers are often reimbursable, so keep the documentation
• Plan the return: if the patient will be discharged far from home, book the return journey early

After the transfer

Recovery often continues at home. EMRS supports the whole journey: home nursing for wound care and medications, physiotherapy at home, doctor follow-up visits, and scheduled transport to outpatient appointments.

Need a transfer between hospitals arranged? EMRS coordinates them 24/7 across all seven emirates: +971 55 472 8133.