Private Ambulance Services: A New Option for HK's Medical Needs

With Hong Kong’s population ageing and medical demand on the rise, the public non-emergency ambulance system is under growing pressure. To fill this service gap, private ambulance services have emerged as a viable new option to meet the Hong Kong’s evolving healthcare needs. Amber Medical, Hong Kong’s first provider of private ambulance transport services, offers point-to-point medical transportation, cross-border transfers, and more. Not only does it fill a market gap, but it also delivers professional and efficient service through an innovative model grounded in social responsibility.

Amber Medical’s Private Ambulance Service

Filling Gaps in Public Ambulance Coverage

Amber Medical founder Chris Wong has pointed out the long-standing shortage of public non-emergency ambulances in Hong Kong, particularly during holidays when demand surges. To address this, Amber Medical partnered with the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care and the Hospital Authority to provide non-emergency private ambulance service, successfully filling the gap in the public system.

Service Scope and Key Features

Amber Medical’s private ambulance services are designed to meet a wide range of needs, including:

• Discharge Escort Services: Professionally trained medical staff provide point-to-point escort service for patients discharged from hospital.

• Inter-hospital transfers: Facilitating bed-to-bed transfers between different hospitals with full medical support.

• Cross-border ambulance service: Providing medical escort services across Greater Bay Area including Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. Amber also helped a youngster injured in car accident in Taiwan to return safely to Hong Kong to reunion with family and receive further treatment.

• Palliative care transport: Provide compassionate, dignified private ambulance transfers for terminal patients to their homes or hospice facilities.

These services not only cater to diverse patient needs but also help relieve the burden on the public healthcare system.

Private Ambulance vs. Public Ambulance – What’s the Difference?

The key advantage of private ambulance services lies in flexibility, efficiency, and customised, point-to-point care. They are especially suited for discharged patients, cases requiring medical equipment assistance, or individuals needing cross-border private medical transportation.

Service Type	Public Ambulance (HA / Fire Services Department)	Private Ambulance (Amber Medical)
Patient Type	Emergency cases (e.g., car accidents, heart attacks)	Non-emergency cases (e.g., discharges, cross-border transfers)
Service Area	Primarily within Hong Kong	Hong Kong & cross-border medical transport
Booking Method	Through the hospital or 999 reporting hotline	By appointment; personalised to patient needs
Cost	Government-funded	Self-funded

Challenges in the Private Ambulance Sector

Operating a private ambulance in Hong Kong requires navigating complex regulations. Amber Medical had to coordinate with multiple departments, including the Fire Services Department, Department of Health, and Transport & Logistics Bureau, to ensure safety and compliance. After months of rigorous review, Amber became the first licensed private ambulance service provider in Hong Kong with a Special Purpose Vehicle licence.

Additionally, the sector is still refining a sustainable model for long-term development. It is hoped that the government will support with policy to enable private medical transport services to thrive within the healthcare system and better serve public needs.

Social Responsibility and Future Development

Amber Care Charity Programme

In addition to commercial offerings, Amber Medical launched the Amber Care charity initiative in recent years to support underserved communities. By partnering with public-private healthcare, social welfare organisations, and commercial institutions, Amber offers free or low-cost private medical transportation for those in need, highlighting its strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The Future of Cross-Border Medical Transport

As healthcare collaboration in the Greater Bay Area strengthens, Amber Medical is taking an active role in cross-border private medical transportation services. Founder Chris Wong shared that his team has deep experience and aims to work with the government to launch point-to-point cross-border channels to minimise risk for patients during transit.

A New Era of Private Ambulance Services

The rise of private ambulance transport injects new energy into Hong Kong’s medical system. Through its professionalism, innovation, and comnmitment to social responsibility, Amber Medical has successfully filled a critical service gap in non-emergency ambulances—provided the public with more options. Looking ahead, with expanded service offerings and stronger policy support, private ambulance services will become an indispensable part of Hong Kong’s future healthcare system.

Whether you need individual care or medical support for large-scale events, contact Amber Medical’s professional team to experience Hong Kong’s most trusted private ambulance service today.