The ambulance helps transport sick people. However, it is also used for less serious illnesses. This does not happen often. For example, in Lääne and Põlva counties, such trips account for 8%. Across Estonia, it is 3-4%. But every such trip can delay the ambulance's work.
For example, a Narva-Tallinn trip takes about 2 hours. The return trip without a patient takes 3 hours. One such trip takes a lot of time from the ambulance.
The ambulance is often used for planned trips. Each county does not have enough transport services. There are also funding problems.
The Ministry of Social Affairs wants to change when to use an ambulance, taxi, or social transport. It is also necessary to agree on who will pay the transport costs.
Panjuškin says that private companies offer more medical transport. Meanwhile, Rakvere Hospital director Ain Suurkaev is cautious. He says this service cannot always be planned. Suurkaev believes that the capacity of ambulances should be increased. The changes will be ready by 2026.