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Blood bikers become health
angels for The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
A group of motorbike enthusiasts have
started volunteering for The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
The Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes have become a familiar sight at the
Merseyside Hospital since they started a 12 week trial in October 2016.
They are on call round the clock to deliver bloods for testing off site.
Despite their name, it isn’t just blood they move between the Hospital in Wirral
and peripheral clinics.
The riders can deliver urgently required case notes, chemotherapy and vital
small packages. Anything that will improve the experience of patients and help
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre provide the best possible care.
The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Tony Marsland, Medical Devices and Commodities Manager at The Clatterbridge
Cancer Centre, said:- “The support the Trust has received has been
fantastic, our collaboration with Blood Bikes is supporting our vision of
providing the best cancer care to the people we serve.
Nothing is too much trouble for the Blood Bikes Team. They’re professional,
courteous and keen to help, a true reflection of the excellent service goals The
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre holds within its values.”
Stuart Thompson, Operator and Rider for Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes,
said it had been a pleasure to add The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to their ever
growing list of Hospitals and Hospices.
He added:- “Knowing that the next ride you do could save a life is the
reason why we do this. You don’t know who you are going to help but it is a good
feeling.
Our riders are a mix of people - young, old, professional, retired. We all know
it is a really good cause. Everyone gets into this for their own reasons. It is
such a good cause, you don’t question why you are in it.
One of our retired riders sees it likes this - he could potter round his garden
or do something he enjoys and something that will help people. We are all
motorbike enthusiasts but it gives us a sense of purpose. We aren’t just burning
petrol, we could potentially be saving a life.
We are also saving the NHS money as we are providing a service for free that
they might otherwise have to use a taxi or expensive transport for. We are
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and all our Hospitals can call us
whenever they need us.”
Janine Wharton, Quality and Safety Matron of Chemotherapy Services at The
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre said:- “The Blood Bikes have made a positive
impact on all patients at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and the network
clinics.
The team of riders have been instrumental in patients receiving results and
treatment in a timely manner.”
The Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes are a voluntary service with more than
60 riders from all over Merseyside and Cheshire. They have five operators who
take calls 24 hours of the day.
All riders are subject to stringent checks and must be over 25. They have been
helping the NHS in Merseyside and Cheshire since 2012. All carry ID cards and
are easily identifiable. |
