Bump enables effective social distancing at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust’s Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has placed innovation at the forefront of its care by being the first Trust in the UK to introduce proximity monitoring devices in its Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic.

People attending the clinic have been wearing Bump devices, which emit a beeping sound to alert those within two metres of one another. The wearable devices also turn a vibrant shade of red until enough space has been created, resulting in a safer journey through the process for everyone involved.

Developed in anticipation of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic would have, Bump is a cutting-edge system designed to help wearers feel safe, inform effective social-distancing behaviour and thus reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. It comprises wearable and static devices that use sophisticated Radio Frequency (RF) technology to create a Personal Motion System that immediately alerts wearers when they are getting too close to another person.

Dr Lisa Berry, Consultant Virologist at UHCW NHS Trust, was the first person to wear the device in the clinic.

Lisa said: "It was a real privilege, not only to be offered my second vaccine in such a timely manner, but also to have my appointment on the launch day of our bump devices in the vaccine clinic which allowed me to be the first person to wear the device.

“It was interesting to see how technology has the ability to support what we as infection specialists are advocating as safe practices. The device is unobtrusive but gives the wearer a degree of security that social distancing is being maintained as they give the user a warning signal if that distance is breached.

“This device, alongside good ventilation, offers an extra layer of assurance to individuals as they attend the vaccination clinic."

Dr Tim Robbins, Clinical Lecturer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “Social distancing remains a fundamentally important measure against the spread of Covid-19 and these devices provide another step in preventing transmission.

“We’re immensely proud to be able to offer this extra bit of safety to everyone attending University Hospital for their vaccines and encourage those who have been asked to come for their jabs to do so safely.

“Variant strains of Covid-19 serve to further demonstrate the importance of technology such as Bump as society begins to open up.”

The Bump system was created by Tharsus, one of the UK’s leading advanced machines and robotics firm. Developed in just 12 weeks at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bump received a President’s Special Award for Pandemic Service from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Brian Palmer, CEO of Tharsus, said “We developed Bump at the start of the pandemic in order to help organisations make informed decisions on how best to protect staff, customers and in this case, patients.

“We’re pleased to have been working with UHCW since we launched Bump, where our technology has allowed the Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic to operate safely and effectively, whilst enabling the Trust to monitor and evaluate social distancing behaviour more widely.

“Going forward, we look forward to Bump enabling UHCW to continue protecting its patients and staff against any future Covid-19 variants, as well as any other infectious diseases which pose a threat to public health.”