Blood Bikes Medical Transport volunteers can now use the bus lane network while carrying out their vital services, and the decision by the Department of Transport means that blood bikers can now bypass traffic congestion and reduce transit times for vital collections and deliveries.
Blood Bike groups around the country use vehicles to rapidly transport medical and clinical items to and from healthcare facilities. This voluntary service reduces demand on alternative transport methods such as ambulances or private operators. On granting the approval, Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, said: “Blood Bikes Medical Transport volunteers provide a crucial health service, and I have had several meetings with them to learn more about the work they do.”
Minister O’Brien said he was “delighted that Blood Bike volunteers can now transport vital medical supplies between hospitals and patients across the country even more quickly and efficiently, which will bring reassurance to everyone involved”.
Fergus Lennon, spokesperson for Blood Bikes Medical Transport, said the official announcement by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirming the exemption of bus lane restrictions for their service has been warmly welcomed.
He told ‘Emergency Services Ireland’ that they have worked closely with the Minister and his team at the Department of Transport to ensure this transition is smooth and effective. “This development will greatly benefit the hospitals and medical facilities we support, enabling us to deliver blood, samples, and other critical medical items more quickly and efficiently.
“In healthcare, even a matter of minutes can make a life-saving difference. While the conditions attached are minimal – primarily that vehicles are owned and operated by Blood Bike charities – this change represents a major step forward in supporting patient care and emergency response.”
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien pictured with Michael Noonan (left) and Fergus Lennon (right) from Blood Bike Medical Transport, following the annoucement that approval has finally been granted by the Transport Department for blood bikes to use the bus lane network.
Also welcoming the decision to allow access for Blood Bikes to bus lanes, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said that it is “further supporting them to carry out their indispensable support to our health service”.
He said that Blood Bike volunteers respond to almost 6,000 calls each year and their work contributes to the health and wellbeing of countless patients and their families. “They also bring huge benefit to staff in our hospitals, medical centres, nursing homes and other healthcare settings.”
Minister Canney also thanked the volunteers for the work they do, free of charge, with great professionalism and unwavering dedication. “I had the privilege of meeting some of the volunteers in Galway last year and I’m delighted to be able to assist in this very important work,” he added.
Blood Bikes Medical Transport is a registered charity which assists the health service by transporting clinical items to and between healthcare facilities. There are almost 140 Blood Bike volunteers, handling up to 6,000 calls annually.
