An apparatus a and method for networked transportation of patients or people with impaired mobility in a hospital bed, or nursing bed, having the following method features: a) a patient in question or an applicable caregiver is reported by a control centre as in need of transportation from one ward A to another ward B, b) the nursing staff on ward A beds down or puts the person in question into a special transportation bed or a special transportation chair and reports to the control centre when this person is correctly supported, this being able to be checked by means of a pressure sensor (23) in the lying area or sitting area, the identity being ensured by the nursing staff or being able to be checked by means of a patient identity card, c) the patient is automatically moved to ward B, d) the patient is brought to his treatment in ward B and then transported back to ward A by the same route.