Dedicated bikers and supporters who provide a vital out-of-hours NHS service couriering blood and other fluids between hospitals in Wales have been ‘busier than ever’ during COVID19. Before Coronavirus, Blood Bikes Wales’ volunteer riders operated solely outside of working hours in the ‘Mid’ area – which covers Cwm Taf Morgannwg – carrying patient samples from the pathology lab at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, to microbiology in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Talbot Green. Since the start of lockdown, however, one rider has been on duty every day, with the charity covering 7am to 7pm on weekdays as well as weekends and bank holidays.

Heat Combustion & Supplies Sales Engineer, Glyn Moore, decided to help us as best they could. He suggested that they should provide some PPE for the bikes and riders and the company agreed.

Glyn got in touch saying “We are pleased we are in a position to help where we can. I can offer you 70% alcohol hand sanitiser bottles, disposable face masks, head shields and anti-bacterial hand wipes. All will be free of charge.” The offer was accepted straight away and one of our riders travelled to the company to accept the goods.

The PPE has been used every day by the riders in the “Mid Section” of Blood Bikes Wales when entering and leaving hospitals as well as when handing the bikes over when changing shift. Alan Harper, Mid Area Manager, said “without the PPE our riders would have been in more of a risk of catching any “bugs” in their duties and no doubt, gave each of them more confidence to continue the work the charity does every day of the year.”

Blood Bikes Wales was formed in 2011 and now has 23 bikes on the road in Wales, with volunteers including controllers, fundraisers and administrators as well as riders. Every member is voluntary, with no paid roles, and the charity is funded entirely by donations.

In the Mid area there are 68 volunteers and two bikes, which are securely stored near the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. Alan said: “On weekends, the riders complete an eight-hour shift, starting with collecting the bike and checking it over. Then will phone the controller to say the bike is ok for the shift. In Cwm Taf Morgannwg, we answer to urgent calls, which come through to the controller on a dedicated 0300 number. From the moment we respond, we will be there within an hour. We could be transporting anything from blood samples to other fluids, such as human milk, which comes either from Chester, Bristol or Birmingham Children’s Hospital in relays to Monmouth. We also do set runs at 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm between Prince Charles Hospital and the Royal Glamorgan.”

COVID19 has, of course, had a huge impact on Blood Bikes Wales, with vital fundraising activities such as store collections being put on hold, as well as some volunteer riders shielding. As you would expect in an organisation where every rider has an advanced riding certificate, safety has remained at the fore, both on and off the road. The donation of PPE from Heat Combustion Supplies was very gratefully received.

The Blood Bikers are always happy to speak to organisations and teams about their work. To volunteer, make a donation or find out more about, visit https://bloodbikes.wales/ or follow the organisation on Twitter and Facebook at @BloodBikesWales.