A coach company is to take over the transport of patients arriving from Orkney and Shetland to Aberdeen hospitals from the Red Cross.
Those coming from the islands to Aberdeen International Airport will then be moved to hospital by Falcon Coach Hire.
According to NHS Grampian this would not include transportation of critically ill patients who are always moved in an ambulance or by air ambulance.
For the members of the public using the service the booking system will remain unchanged.
NHS Shetland chief executive Ralph Roberts said the service was awarded to Falcon in a joint tender between NHS Shetland and NHS Orkney.
He said: “The contract has been awarded for three years with the opportunity to renew twice for 12 months. This means it could run for up to five years.”
Mr Roberts confirmed the new service would begin in September, adding “The Red Cross has performed an invaluable service moving Shetland and Orkney’s people from the airport to Aberdeen’s hospitals for many years and for this we thank them.”
David McArthur, NHS Orkney’s director of Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Professionals, said the tender exercise had ensured a quality service for patients.
Mr McArthur said: “It will be business as usual. The service will operate as normal under the new logo Falcon coach.
“We look forward to working with Falcon and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Red Cross for their services over the last few years.”
Falcon Coach Hire is a well-established name in airport shuttle transport and has a large collection of multi wheelchair access mini-buses.