Accompanying person

A journey to hospital, to an examination or home is stressful for many people. A familiar person at their side is reassuring — especially for older people, people with dementia, those anxious about the appointment, or children. They can answer questions, have documents to hand and be present during the consultation with the doctor.

An accompanying person is also helpful for the staff: they know the patient’s habits, medication and needs and can pass on information that is not on any form.

The accompanying person does not replace the trained staff. The transport team is responsible for safe positioning, securing the wheelchair, monitoring during the journey and first aid. The companion is there for personal support — for conversation, calm and orientation.

On stretcher transports at Mobimed, a second trained transport assistant always travels in addition to the driver. The companion then sits so that the staff can reach the patient easily at all times.

For children, an accompanying person goes without saying: as a rule, a parent or another familiar carer who knows the child and can comfort them rides along. On transports for pregnant women, too, the partner or a trusted person often rides along — for example to a check-up or to hospital when labour begins.

Whoever rides along should have personal items to hand: the patient’s ID and insurance card, medication list, important documents and, for children, their favourite toy. This makes arrival at the destination easier.

At the destination, the companion helps with settling in: with registration, putting things away in the room or the first conversation with the nursing staff. The transport team hands over the person and the documents, while the companion remains as a familiar face.