1 March 2023

A mobile health clinic built into an eco-cycle has just landed in London to treat thousands of the city’s most vulnerable homeless patients.

The new bespoke cycle, which was built in Berlin, will allow access to areas where it may have been difficult to park a car or van such as parks, hostels, soup kitchens and other street outreach locations like riverbanks or under bridges.

It will screen thousands of vulnerable homeless people in the North Central London area for blood borne viruses, STIs, TB, HIV, offer vaccination and much more.

The bike is based at UCLH on Euston Road and will be delivered with support from CNWL. Watch here. 

The idea for the bike was originally conceived by Dr Indrajit Ghosh, Specialty Doctor at CNWL’s Mortimer Market Centre and the Bloomsbury Clinic (pictured above). He teamed up with the Find and Treat from UCLH on the project:

“The electric clinic bike is an approach for those people experiencing homeless (or who are marginalised in other ways) in a more simplified way," he said.

"It combines the benefits of being eco-friendly and carbon neutral, with full infection control and medicine safety. It can easily be adjusted for any outreach setting - from home visits, streets or participation at outdoor events - the bike is flexible and can be fitted with customised medical equipment.”

Designed with an aerospace electrician the cycle features remote temperature control allowing safe storage for vaccines or other cold chain items and a solar panel provides an independent, climate friendly charging option.

Using electric power will result in a carbon footprint reduction at the same time as improving air quality and providing a cleaner, safer service user experience.

Professor Al Story, founder and clinical lead of UCLH’s Find and Treat Team said:

“Find & Treat have taken healthcare to streets for 20 years. Our job is to prevent serious infections and onward transmission. This new green low carbon e-bike fits perfectly with our mission to help the most vulnerable, protect the air we share and promote better health for all.”

Pictures show Dr Indrajit Ghosh and the mobile health eco-cycle.