Looking for non-emergency medical transportation on Vancouver Island? CommunityPlus provides caregiver-accompanied transport to and from medical appointments: the same person who drives you also helps you get from your door to the vehicle, into the clinic, and home again. It is a good fit when you need a hand as well as a ride, whether for a senior, someone recovering from surgery, or anyone who should not travel to an appointment alone. We use standard vehicles and can accommodate transport wheelchairs; for wheelchair-van or stretcher patient transport, see the Island Transportation Directory linked below.
When you need a ride to an appointment plus a hand getting in, out, and through the door, that's what assistance to appointments covers. Our caregivers provide transportation at scheduled times along with mobility support to, from, and during the appointment. Transport wheelchairs work fine, but we can't accommodate regular wheelchairs or stretchers. For other options, see our Island Transportation Directory.
What the caregiver helps with
The support covers the full trip. A caregiver will help you move from the home to the vehicle and back, and from the vehicle to the appointment location and back. They can set up and assist with transport wheelchairs and walkers, and perform stand-and-pivot transfers between the vehicle and a wheelchair in either direction.
Mobility requirements
Clients need to be able to get in and out of vehicles with minimal assistance. Caregivers cannot lift or weight-bear for clients during mobilization and transfers. If you can stand and reposition yourself while seated, a caregiver can assist with stand-and-pivot transfers between the vehicle and a wheelchair. If you can't, this service isn't the right fit, and you'll want to look at specialized medical transport instead.
Common questions about medical appointment transport
Is this non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT)? It is a non-emergency, caregiver-accompanied option. The difference from a typical medical transport company is that the caregiver stays with you for the whole trip and helps in and out of the vehicle and through the appointment, rather than just dropping you off. We are not an ambulance or stretcher service.
Which areas do you cover for patient transport? We provide appointment transport across Greater Victoria, including Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Saanich, Victoria, View Royal and the West Shore, and throughout much of Vancouver Island. See our Victoria home care page for the full service area.
Can the caregiver wait during the appointment? Yes. The caregiver can wait and bring you home, or run a quick nearby errand if you prefer; see errands and outings.