A group of bikers have given up their spare time to deliver life-saving medical devices to vulnerable Londoners fighting coronavirus at home.
The new fleet of 200 motorcyclists are dropping off pulse oximeters 24 hours a day to people doctors consider to be at high risk of "silent hypoxia".
It is a condition occurring in some Covid-19 patients where oxygen levels can drop to potentially dangerous level without them realising. The pulse oximeters measure oxygen saturation levels, allowing patients to self-monitor their oxygen levels before they fall dangerously low.
The brains behind the Urgent Oximeter Rescue Service was London-based GP Dr Sharon Raymond, who has set up the Covid Crisis Response (CCR) charity, working alongside The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club and disaster response charity Team Rubicon UK.
The hero bikers, currently delivering around north-central London, aim to get the devices to patients' homes within 90 minutes.
Doctors in the area can request that an oximeter is delivered to a patient through a 24-hour helpline.
The motorcyclists practice social distancing and do not ring the doorbell or knock but leave the device outside and the patient receives a text confirming it has arrived.
Once a patient has a device a clinician should then call them within two hours to reassess them with the benefit of an oxygen saturation and pulse reading.
If the patient is identified as having silent hypoxia, they can be taken to hospital for further treatment.
Dr Raymond said: "We know that some patients with Covid-19 can develop 'silent hypoxia' where pneumonia can result in a steep fall in the body's oxygen levels without the patient even realising.
"Unfortunately by the time patients have noticeable trouble breathing and present at hospital their condition may have deteriorated dramatically.
"This could really help us get people the help they desperately need.
"Using the biking community to deliver this kit to patients most at risk could be instrumental in saving lives."
The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead is acting as the hub for the team of motorcyclists, who were selected from the Bike Shed Community Response volunteers.
The service is funded purely through charitable donations and is asking for support through the CCR's JustGiving page here
