TO BIKE or not to bike – that was the question for nurses in Stratford.
With thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death on Saturday (April 23), it was almost like a scene from the BBC’s hit series Call The Midwife as nurses went back in time – taking to two wheels to ensure patients didn’t miss out on their treatment.
The annual birthday parade meant more people in and around the town centre than usual so – aware of the possible disturbance to patients – Stratford’s district nurses put their heads together and came up with a plan to ensure long traffic jams and road closures would not impact on them getting to patients.
Having studied maps of the town and worked out the best routes to each patient, the nurses pumped up their tires, oiled their chains and set off on their bikes for the day.
Jacqueline Hall, district nurse said: “What went from being quite a stressful situation, turned in to a great success. Our patients received their care without any delays and we became more fit for practice.
“It was a really good opportunity for the team to show the public how important exercise is in leading a healthy lifestyle – something we regularly promote to our patients.”
And while the district nurses are a mobile team, the move to two wheels won’t be a permanent one owing to challenges with carrying equipment and the unpredictable English weather.
