London cabbies helping transport doctors and delivering medical supplies during COVID-19 outbreak

As traditional taxi work has largely dried up in London, cabbies have been temporarily adapting to supplement lost income caused by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

That statement is very much true for London cabbie, Lianne Rolls, 46, from Poplar, who has been working at Chase Farm Hospital, for the Enfield GP Federation COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre.

In her new role, Lianne has been asked to deliver Oximeter machines which monitor patient oxygen levels, taking medication to patients isolating at home and driving Doctors from one surgery to another in her taxi. 

Lianne Rolls said: “I am working 12 hours a day, 5 days a week and some days I can drive up to 150 miles as we cover 27 surgeries in North London. It is a very demanding role emotionally as when I arrive at people’s homes you can see their panic and concern and it has been especially hard when I have had to witness patients being taken to hospital and leaving their loved ones behind.

“I have been particularly moved by the sincere gratitude of people and the unfailing level of care the NHS Doctors and Nurses offer despite sometimes working 12 hour shifts for up to two weeks without a break. I am so very proud to be able to do my bit and to be part of such a dedicated team. “

Lianne was also quick to thank the taxi industry community for the support during her time working with the hospital. Lianne added: “I rent my taxi from Paul Byron of HP Taxi Company, and it was his idea to organise the contract work with the NHS. Paul works tirelessly to promote the trade and I would like to thank him for his efforts and for of course organising the work that was much needed for me and several of his other drivers by securing the NHS contract.”

Lianne is one of 25 cabbies in the fundraising group “Cabbies Do Kilimanjaro” who are adapting their training during lockdown to ensure they are fit enough for their attempt to climb Kilimanjaro later this year to raise £7,500 for the London Taxi Drivers Charity for Children, who like most charities across the UK have seen their fundraising opportunities cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Image credit: LTCFC