OUR SERVICES
Delivering essential medical items for NHS Scotland on demand
When time is of the essence, we deliver essential medical items on demand between hospitals, healthcare facilities and patients’ homes, supporting both primary and secondary healthcare services.
Our agile operational model means that blood, blood products, specimens, medications, documents and smaller pieces of medical equipment are transported swiftly and securely to where they are urgently needed. We deliver a high-quality service, free of charge, 365 days a year in all weathers, providing significant cost savings to NHS Scotland – always with professionalism and a smile.
Our charity is entirely funded by voluntary donation – both private and corporate – and receives no payment from government or the NHS. It has been a fundamental principle of Blood Bikes Scotland since inception that no one takes a salary or any form of remuneration.
What we’ve achieved in the last 12 months
Updated 1st May 2024
Job Requests
Jobs Completed
Saving to NHS
Saving per Volunteer Hour
Volunteers
Vehicles
Miles Covered
Operational Costs
WHO WE ARE
From humble beginnings, come great things
Blood Bikes Scotland was founded in 2012 by Brian Fraser and Ron Spalding, who shared a desire to put something back into the community and initially began operating a service for NHS Borders in 2014.
Since this modest beginning with just one motorcycle, our charity has grown significantly and now has over 200 volunteer riders and controllers, and a fleet of motorcycles and cars. We have developed our capabilities substantially and now provide a regular service to NHS Borders, NHS Fife, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Lothian and NHS Tayside*. We cover a huge geographical area and a substantial part of Scotland.
The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees, and operations are managed by a committee of volunteers.
As one of over 40 member charities of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes (NABB), we are required to be compliant with professional standards as defined by the MHRA, NICE, and all road traffic and transport legislation (including UN3373). All of our riders and drivers hold an advanced qualification issued by IAM RoadSmart or RoSPA, or current certification from a UK Police Constabulary.
*Blood Bike services for other NHS Scotland regions are provided by separate charities.
TESTIMONIAL
Proud to be supported by Ewan McGregor
“Blood Bikes Scotland is an amazing charity, 100% run by volunteers. They form part of the National Association of Blood Bikes (NABB) and do fantastic work on behalf of NHS Lothian, Fife, Borders, [Tayside] and Forth Valley.
They provide a free courier service transporting equipment, medication, documentation and blood samples between main hospitals, community hospitals, nursing homes, labs and patients’ home addresses.
No volunteer is paid and they do not receive any NHS or Government funding. They are highly commended for this excellent service to people in their time of need.
I send you my sincere appreciation for all your hard work.”
Photo by Moe Moore with permission of Ewan McGregor
MEET THE FLEET
We operate a fleet of fully-equipped, liveried vehicles
Our motorbikes and cars are garaged at multiple locations across each NHS region we serve. Whilst motorcycles are used for most shifts, a car is available in each region for use by non-riders or when weather conditions preclude the use of a bike.
BMW R1250 RT
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
BMW F750 GS
Kia Rio
