A team of volunteers has saved the NHS thousands of pounds during the pandemic by transporting lab samples across the Highlands.

The Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes charity has responded to nearly 500 calls over the past six months, clocking up 92,000 miles carrying out vital work for the health service.form protein

Initially a pilot scheme focused on delivery of urgent samples and supplies between hospitals out of hours, efforts are now underway to formalise the relationship with Blood Bikes so their work can continue.

Alex Javed, Service Manager for Laboratories for NHS Highland, explains: “When the pandemic was declared many of us found that we had to change both how we worked and what we did in response to what was needed and the same can be said for the volunteers with Blood Bikes.

“They very quickly were able to start distributing covid test kits and returning samples to the labs for us, often with not much notice. No ask is too big for them, they have been so valuable to us during this time.

“Prior to their involvement we would be seeing an average spend of about £5000 a month on taxis to get urgent samples and/or tests between sites, and Blood Bikes have been doing this for free.”

NHS Highland is now moving to secure a service level agreement with the charity so they can continue to work alongside the health board.

Ross Sharp, Highland and Islands Blood Bikes President, said: “We are a small charity and we were just getting started when the pandemic hit.

“Fortunately we were able to change the delivery of our service very quickly in response to the pandemic and we are absolutely delighted now that our trial has ended and that our relationship with the NHS is set to continue. 

“Donations and volunteers are what keeps us going, and fundraising in particular has been very difficult for us but we continue to respond when the NHS asks and we hope to do so for the foreseeable future.

“It’s not just riders that are involved and I’d ask anyone who has any free time and wants to give something back to the community to have a look at our website or find us on Facebook, where you can find out about all the different roles needed, there is a role for everyone!

“You can also make donations to us, and we are particularly keen to speak to potential sponsors.

“We pride ourselves on being there when the NHS asks, and in doing so this helps the NHS provide a better service to the community, for which we are all grateful.”

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.