Services
Expert transport for mental health patients.
Safety
Ensuring secure and compliant patient transport.
Speed
Rapid response for urgent patient needs.
FAQ
What is Health Connections?
Health Connections is a UK-wide, CQC-registered private ambulance provider specialising in secure mental health patient transport. The company delivers rapid, safe, and fully compliant movement of individuals detained or liable for detention under the Mental Health Act.
Health Connections stands out as the only nationally governed, framework-approved specialist in its field, supporting NHS Trusts, Integrated Care Boards, private hospitals, and police forces. With a highly trained team, dedicated secure fleet, and operational hubs across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, Health Connections ensures patient dignity, safety, and legal compliance on every journey.
The service covers both emergency and scheduled transfers, operates 24/7/365, and is structured to meet the highest standards for clinical governance, audit, and reporting. Health Connections is accessible via direct award under NHS frameworks, enabling fast mobilisation and transparent, pre-approved pricing for commissioners.
In summary:
Health Connections is the trusted partner for secure, compliant, and compassionate mental health transport across the UK—setting the national standard for patient safety and operational excellence.
Who do you serve?
Health Connections serves:
NHS Trusts
(Acute, Mental Health, and Community Trusts across the UK)
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) & Local Authorities
Supporting regional commissioning and patient flow
Private Hospitals
Including secure, CAMHS, and Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU)
Police Forces
(Especially for Section 136 and Section 135 Mental Health Act pathways, and RCRP compliance)
Other Health and Social Care Providers
Requiring safe, compliant mental health patient transport
In summary:
Health Connections supports any organisation responsible for the safe, legal, and compassionate transfer of mental health patients including those detained under the Mental Health Act, at risk, or requiring secure transport between facilities.
How do you ensure safety?
Specialist Staff Training
All staff are DBS-cleared and certified in 25+ modules, including:
Mental health awareness
Safeguarding (Level 3 for adults & children)
Physical intervention/restraint (BILD ACT RRN compliant)
Conflict management and de-escalation
Health & safety, infection control, first aid
Ongoing refresher training, scenario-based assessments, and documented competency.
Purpose-Built Secure Vehicles
Fleet of 20+ vehicles designed for mental health transport:
Anti-ligature features
Reinforced windows, privacy screens, and sanitary kits
Internal CCTV and live GPS tracking
Separate staff and patient compartments for high-risk transfers
Panic alarms and emergency communication systems
Robust Clinical Governance
CQC-registered with regular audits and 90-day audit cycles
Central governance monitors policies, training, audits, and incident reporting
All incidents, restraints, and patient conditions are logged, reviewed, and acted on within 24 hours
Comprehensive Risk Assessment
Every patient transfer is preceded by a patient-specific risk assessment (covering aggression, medical needs, legal status, and cultural factors)
All necessary Mental Health Act documentation is checked before transport
Only trained staff authorized to use restraint, and only when absolutely necessary
Strict Compliance & Monitoring
Adherence to CQC, NHS, BILD and RCRP standards
Live KPI dashboards for real-time monitoring of safety, punctuality, and incident rates
GDPR-compliant record keeping and full audit trails
Continuous Improvement
Incident reviews drive policy updates and staff training enhancements
Transparent reporting and a learning culture to reduce risk and improve outcomes
In summary:
Health Connections blends expert staff, specialist vehicles, rigorous governance, and a commitment to continuous improvement to deliver the safest possible mental health patient transport—every journey, every time.
Service Reach:
Urban areas: Fast response times (typically 60–90 minutes)
Rural and remote areas: Coverage within 2–4 hours
UK-wide patient transport, including local, regional, and long-distance journeys
Service Availability:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Both emergency and scheduled transfers
Client Types:
NHS Trusts, ICBs, private hospitals, police forces, and other health/social care providers—anywhere in the UK
In summary:
Health Connections delivers secure, compliant mental health patient transport services nationwide, with the infrastructure and staff to support rapid, reliable transfers for clients throughout the UK.
What is your coverage area?
Are your staff trained?
Mandatory Training for All Staff
Health & safety
Manual handling
Infection control
First aid
Safeguarding (adults & children, Level 3)
Mental health awareness
Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS)
Conflict management and de-escalation
Data protection and GDPR
Specialist Training for Secure Transport Staff
Physical intervention and restraint (certified, BILD ACT RRN compliant)
Ligature awareness
Vehicle and person search procedures
Safe use of mechanical restraint equipment
Ongoing Competency
Regular refresher courses and scenario-based assessments
Documented competency records and audits
Continuous professional development, aligned with CQC and NHS standards
Governance and Oversight
Training tracked via a management system
Regular audits and risk mitigation reviews
Compliance monitored by central governance and mapped to CQC requirements
In summary
Health Connections’ staff are DBS-cleared, rigorously trained, and regularly assessed to ensure the safe, compassionate, and compliant transfer of mental health patients—every journey, every time.
Location
We operate across the UK, ensuring safe transport for mental health patients.
Hours
24/7