Purbeck’s district nurses get on their e-bikes!

Inspired by healthcare staff in Holland, district nurses in Purbeck have been turning to pedal power to get them to appointments in Swanage and the surrounding area.

The bicycle, once the traditional mode of transport for district nurses, has been replaced over the years by the car, but with the invention of electric bikes there’s now a feasible alternative for getting up Purbeck’s hills.

Advertisement 
District nurse Jill Dowland
Dorset Healthcare

Purbeck district nurse Jill Dowland, one of the original group who travelled to Holland and is champions the use of e-bikes

Promote healthy living

Following a visit to Gouda in Holland, the Dorset Healthcare nursing team saw how practical cycling could be for their work and have been switching from cars to electric bikes to help the environment, bypass traffic jams and promote healthy living.

It’s been so successful in Purbeck that the NHS Trust has now provided an extra £2,000 to encourage more mobile nursing teams to use e-bikes. This has allowed the idea to be rolled out across other places in Dorset including Dorchester and Bournemouth.

Hattie Taylor, Lead District Nurse for Purbeck on her e-bike
Dorset Healthcare

Hattie Taylor, lead district nurse for Purbeck on her bike in Wareham

More than paid their way

NHS bosses say that the bikes have more than paid their way. In Swanage it’s saved an estimated £600 a year in car mileage costs for just one full time member of staff.

Hattie Taylor, lead district nurse for Purbeck made the bid for the extra funding in the NHS Trust’s ‘Dragons’ Den’ staff innovation competition, after seeing the difference e-bikes made to her team.

Hattie Taylor, Lead District Nurse for Purbeck
Dorset Healthcare

Hattie Taylor, lead district nurse for Purbeck

“Our patients love it when we turn up with our helmets on”

Hattie Taylor said:

“We had the idea after a trip to Gouda in Holland, where healthcare staff use bicycles to get to appointments all the time.

“Purbeck isn’t quite as flat as Holland, so we found electric bikes worked better, especially when you’re trying to go uphill.

“Even so, they are a much better alternative to cars. You can get through traffic more easily, and don’t have to worry about finding a parking space when you get to an appointment.

“They save on travel costs and help to reduce pollution. Cycling also gives us a bit of clear headspace between visits, and we feel like we are setting a good example around staying fit, active and healthy.

“Our patients love it when we turn up with our helmets on. It’s an amazing feeling getting around the community on two wheels, it’s like district nurses used to do in the old days, and I was keen for other teams to have that choice.”

Watch a video about e-bikes and the Purbeck district nursing team

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

King Tiger roars into Bovington tank museum for a UK first One of the world’s rarest tanks has just rolled into Purbeck to take part in Tankfest 2025 - and has caused a huge rumble of excitement. 3 weeks ago Special screening of Time Team to take place in Corfe Castle grounds 4 weeks ago Driver dies in car crash at Holton Heath 1 month ago Man in hospital with serious injuries after assault in Swanage 2 weeks ago Historic Swanage pub gets new thatch for first time in 400 years 2 days ago

Most recent

Swanage Railway marks 40 years of army corps and volunteer dedication Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield and a long serving railway volunteer Carol Wright have unveiled a plaque and a wooden memorial to recognise the hard work of the soldiers from ... 4 hours ago More fossilised remains of Kimmeridge’s Sea Rex rescued 1 day ago Historic Swanage pub gets new thatch for first time in 400 years 2 days ago Residents denied voice on controversial Dorset tip booking system 3 days ago Swanage Jazz Festival set to sizzle over hot weekend 4 days ago