Shanghai 120 emergency ambulance or planned patient transfer?
An active medical emergency and a planned discharge or airport journey use different decision and dispatch pathways.
Video guide · English
Medical Emergency in Shanghai: Call 120 or an International Hospital?
You become seriously ill in Shanghai at 2 A.M. Who should you call first — an international hospital, your insurer, a private car, or China’s emergency medical number 120?
Video chapters
- 00:00 Medical emergency in Shanghai: who should you call?
- 00:36 What 120 actually does
- 01:02 Why urgency can matter more than hospital preference
- 01:31 Language challenges when calling 120
- 02:02 Emergency response vs international medical services
- 02:36 The same structure in other major Chinese cities
- 03:07 When you should call 120
- 03:39 What international patients should prepare
- 04:09 From emergency care to later medical coordination
- 04:39 The first priority in a true emergency
Content reviewed: 28 September 2026
If there is an immediate emergency
In Shanghai, 120 is the medical emergency number. For a patient who has deteriorated or needs urgent evaluation, contact emergency services and the treating clinicians. A privately discussed planned transfer must not delay emergency care.
If the journey is planned
A stable patient being discharged, travelling to an airport or moving to a care facility may need a different assessment and appointment. Shanghai also has an official non-emergency transport service pathway, but its defined scope does not automatically cover every airport, oxygen or clinical support request; check current eligibility with the responsible provider.
Let clinical needs determine the vehicle
A patient’s mobility, oxygen requirement and monitoring needs should be described by the treating team. The provider then confirms whether it offers an appropriate vehicle and crew. Neither the family nor the website can classify a patient as safe for an ordinary ride.
Clarify the assignment before payment
State origin, destination, date, clinical support and whether the receiving point is ready. Ask what dispatch, waiting and cancellation terms apply. An emergency dispatch and a pre-booked airport journey should not be represented as interchangeable products.
Handover responsibility map
Seek emergency and treating-team assessment; Shanghai emergency number is 120.
Discuss timing and scope with an eligible transport provider.
Escalate if a planned patient becomes unwell.
Questions before a booking
Can a scheduled vehicle respond as Shanghai 120?
Do not assume it is part of the emergency dispatch system. Use the official emergency number for an emergency.
Is non-emergency transport always without staff?
Service scope differs. Ask the actual provider about its permitted task, personnel and equipment.
Useful details for a first enquiry
- Is the patient in an immediate medical emergency?
- Treating team’s requested support
- Origin, destination and acceptance status
- Who will dispatch and who will supervise
A route and support summary is enough to start; discuss detailed records directly by email with the coordinator.
Related services and city pathways
Related public references
These references explain relevant public procedures. Check the conditions of the actual case with the responsible organisations.
Tell us where, when and what support is needed
A short description of the route and support required is enough to start. Send any case details directly by email, not through a public webpage.