In a groundbreaking six-month trial, electric drones will be used to transport urgent blood samples for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Scheduled to begin in Autumn 2024, this innovative medical delivery service is a collaboration between the trust, healthcare logistics firm Apian, and Alphabet’s drone delivery company, Wing.
The trial aims to expedite the delivery of blood samples to high-risk surgery patients for quicker analysis, ensuring their safety before undergoing procedures or being discharged.
Currently, blood samples are transported between hospitals via van and motorbike couriers, taking over 30 minutes, whereas drones can complete the journey in less than two minutes.
This initiative remains unaffected by the cyber attack on Synnovis in June 2024, which disrupted pathology services at the trust for months.
Prof. Ian Abbs, CEO of Guy’s and St Thomas’, emphasized the dual benefits of the drone pilot program: enhancing patient care and promoting sustainability.
Transitioning to drone deliveries will not only reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion but also prove instrumental in improving patient outcomes and streamlining healthcare logistics.
This pioneering effort aligns with the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s vision for advancing drone technology through sandbox trials, fostering innovation and safety in aviation.
Dr. Hammad Jeilani, co-founder of Apian, highlighted the potential of drones to enhance healthcare logistics, enabling clinicians to be more efficient and patients to receive timely care.
Previous research conducted in Northumbria demonstrated the safety and efficacy of using drones to transport blood packs, paving the way for similar initiatives in the healthcare sector.
In recognition of the transformative impact of drone technology, Innovate UK awarded £500,000 to support projects using drones for medical deliveries, including the Welsh project and others in the health sector.
