A DISTRICT nurse was due to meet bosses at Bournemouth Teaching Primary Care Trust on September 8 to find out if she can carry on covering her rounds by bicycle.

Managers told Kathy Archer, who has been Cycling between patients for a month, to get off her bike after discovering what she had been doing.

The PCT only found out after a colleague whose car had broken down asked if she could follow Mrs Archer's example.

The trust's director of clinical services, Anne Swan, told Nursing Standard magazine: "The area is high risk from drug users.

"We are concerned that she is wandering around on a bicycle with needles and syringes in a bum bag.

"I have to look at the needs of the patients and staff security."

Mrs Archer, who lives in Bournemouth, was clocking up 15 miles a day, carrying medical supplies such as dressings and swabs in a rucksack.

On days when she had to cover wider areas, she put the bike in the boot of the car and drove part of the way.

She argues that she is saving the trust around £1,000 a year in fuel costs, cutting pollution and keeping fit.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "We have received a request from one of our district nurses who wishes to do her rounds on a bicycle.

"This person works for us in a temporary capacity as one of our bank nursing staff.

"We have had an initial discussion with this nurse and there is a meeting planned when a decision on the way forward will be made.

"A risk assessment is being carried out to assess the issues that would be faced by any district nurse doing rounds on a bicycle.

"Such issues may include the amount of equipment that district nurses need to carry with them, as well as whether they might be working at night or in high risk areas.

"The health and safety of our staff is paramount at all times.

"We are hopeful that a mutually agreeable decision will be reached."

Royal College of Nursing community health adviser Lynn Young said: "It is absolute nonsense to stop her using her bike.

"Cycling is no more dangerous than walking around.

"Nurses have to get out of their cars to see patients anyway."

First published: September 8, 2005