Derbyshire Blood Bikes volunteers help keep valuable UHDB service on track throughout Covid
More than 500 UHDB patients have been able to access support at home for a “debilitating” sleeping disorder throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – thanks to the help of charity Derbyshire Blood Bikes.
The volunteer group have played an enormous role in the Trust’s Clinical Measurement team being able to maintain its Sleep Clinic service, by providing support to patients with suspected or confirmed obstructive sleep apnoea.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, patients have not been able to attend these clinics as normal at Royal Derby Hospital, with Derbyshire Blood Bikes instead delivering equipment directly to patients’ homes so that they can be tested for the condition and also receive treatment.
The Clinical Measurement team have also provided virtual consultations with patients to guide them through how to use the testing kits, while virtual doctor consultations have also been taking place with patients undergoing treatment at home.
Patients wouldn’t have been able to receive this support without the invaluable contribution of Derbyshire Blood Bikes, who have been providing this voluntary courier service since the beginning of April 2020.
Dena Muirhead, Principal Clinical Physiologist at RDH, said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to Derbyshire Blood Bikes for the role they’ve played in allowing us to continue this service throughout the pandemic. Obstructive sleep apnoea is such a debilitating condition that really alters peoples’ lives, so we’re really grateful to have had the support of the volunteers, who really have made such a big difference.”
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a sleeping disorder that can result in those affected suddenly being unable to breathe while they’re sleeping.
Derbyshire Blood Bikes have helped these patients by delivering oximeters – which can be worn on the wrist to test for sleep apnoea – and equipment to treat the condition throughout the night, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines.
This has made a huge difference to our patients, with one noting that the service had provided “something positive out of the Covid situation”.
Mark Vallis, Derbyshire Blood Bikes coordinator, said: “We’re always delighted to be able to help UHDB in any way we can. Helping our NHS is what we’re here for, so it’s very pleasing to have managed to support more than 500 patients in this way.
“Hearing positive feedback from patients is fantastic and it makes it even more satisfying to know that we’ve helped patients access a service that they wouldn’t have been able to access otherwise.”
*(From left) Mark and Sue Vallis, Derbyshire Blood Bikes volunteers, with Julie McWilliam, Advanced Clinical Physiologist