Elgin-based midwives enjoying use of e-bike after being inspired by Call The Midwife
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ELGIN-based NHS Grampian midwives are enjoying using a new e-bike for local visits.
It has come about after an idea – inspired by TV drama Call The Midwife – was put forward by local midwifery manager Gill Valentine and supported by Sustrans.
Gill explained: “Myself and colleagues have watched Call the Midwife for many years and often joked about the team having a bike for visits, especially in urban areas where parking is an issue.
“When I got my own e-bike about four years ago it completely revolutionalised the way I travel and it got me thinking about how this could be supported at work.
"I have my own bike registered with Sustrans and it was while I was taking advantage of their services the conversation about an e-bike for work colleagues began.”
The Tern e-bike, supplied through Spaces For People funding, has a large, fixed carrier and two large panniers on the back.
Sustrans have also supplied helmets, high-visibility jackets, a lock and safety information. The team has been supported by local service providers with training and to get accustomed to carrying out routine safety checks.
Midwife Carol Bennet, who has used the bike most frequently of the small team of eight, said: “It has been great to have exercise during the working day.
"It feels good to be out in the sun on the bike and it's great in and around the town on the cycle paths as well as a bit further afield.
"Even if it takes a bit longer for the longer journeys, it is really good not to have to spend time looking for a car parking space.
“I've had lots of lovely comments from people as I cycle by and Call the Midwife has been mentioned on occasion! It is really good for your wellbeing.”
In addition to the e-bike for Elgin midwives, Spaces For People funding has made possible 40 new bike parking spaces at the Foresterhill Campus, 20 at Cornhill, 10 at Glen O’Dee, six at Woodend hospital and a recently-installed bike pod at the maternity hospital housing six bikes.
A total of 34 e-bikes have been supplied to teams across NHS Grampian and a new walkway called Blackbird Walk from Woodhill House to Foresterhill Campus aims to promote walking and wheeling too.
Sustrans Project Officer for NHS Grampian, Katrina Schofield, added: “Keeping people active and healthy saves money as well as carbon.
"The winning team in our workplace Step Challenge were actually from Dr Gray’s Hospital and I’m so pleased to see our colleagues in Elgin leading the way by using an e-bike to support their community midwifery team too."
Summing up, Gill added: “We are really pleased with the support we have been given and would encourage other teams to engage with Sustrans.
"The next step is to consider wet weather gear and how we can make it as easy as possible for colleagues to use the e-bike.
"It is still early days but every time I pass the bike I smile and look forward to using it for local meetings and any other excuse I can find.”
