RICO LOGISTICS KEEPS BRITAIN’S BLOOD CIRCULATING

Rico Logistics is playing a vital role in keeping blood circulating in England and North Wales, after commencing work with the National Blood Service (NBS).

Rico will provide rapid response back-up to meet tight service level agreements with the NBS, which collects and distributes blood and related products around England and North Wales.

Rico's nationwide network is being used to assist the NBS in providing back-up to its current transport operation.

Rico sales manager Richard Turner said: “This work covers deliveries of blood and blood products to blood banks and hospitals around the country and collections of donated blood from Blood donor sessions.

“We suggested to them that they should use us, and our specially trained drivers, to back up their own transport operation.”

Rico is now backing up blood deliveries in Manchester, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bristol.

“As soon as NBS are aware that they don't have a vehicle available immediately, they call us to provide a vehicle and driver to cover the job,” said Mr Turner.

Mr Turner said: “Generally speaking hospitals don't keep massive supplies of blood, because it doesn't have a very long shelf life, and is expensive. But when they need it, they need it for a patient, which is where we come in.”

A number of drivers in the Rico branches closest to the blood service's 15 centres in England and North Wales have been selected for special training in the handling of blood products.

“There are a lot of switched on couriers out there, and we now have a nucleus of trained people in most of our branches,” Mr Turner added.