Bike scheme for cancer patients

Patients due to undergo bowel surgery are being given the opportunity to pedal their way to a speedier recovery by using an e-bike prior to their operation.

The move is part of the National Enhanced Recovery Initiative and the pilot project is being evaluated by the University of Edinburgh.

Ten e-bikes are available.

Aileen Schofield of NHS Forth Valley helped secure the bikes through Forth Environment Link, which led to Edinburgh University’s sport department showing interest in an academic evaluation of the programme.

Aileen Schofield explained: “We are very much focused on physical activity as part of the patient’s care and treatment process.

“In fact one of the postsurgery wards for bowel cancer patients now has what is known as an exercise alley, where they are encouraged to take part in a series of simple stretches throughout the day.

“It’s early days but it will be good to know how much using e-bikes helps with the recovery programme.

“We are all very much excited about this new pilot project and what we can learn from it as this will help inform our next steps.”

The use of the e-bikes is being offered to a specific group of patients in addition to a pre-operative assessment which looks at people’s health and what they can do to improve it prior to surgery.

Project manager Linnet Mcgeever said: “The first 24 hours after major surgery is critical and in NHS Forth Valley we have introduced a number of important steps to support this recovery.

“Leading on from these changes we know that people who are more active prior to their surgery and immediately after have a reduced risk of many potential surgical complications.

“The use of the e-bikes is one method of encouraging an increase in exercise which we will be investigating. However, there are also other methods for those who may not find this idea appealing.

“Not only will be encouraging patients to use the e-bikes before surgery but we will also be urging them to get back into the saddle four weeks after their operation to improve their stamina and hopefully aid their longer term recovery.”