In a groundbreaking move, urgent blood samples will soon be zipping through the skies of London via electric drones. This innovative medical delivery service, a partnership between Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Apian, and Wing, aims to speed up patient care and reduce environmental impact.
Speeding Up Patient Care
Currently, moving samples between Guy’s Hospital and the lab at St Thomas’ Hospital takes over half an hour by road. With drones, this journey takes less than two minutes. This speed enables quicker analysis, helping doctors determine if patients are safe for surgery or discharge more efficiently. The trial focuses on patients undergoing surgery who are at high risk of complications from bleeding disorders.
Professor Ian Abbs, Chief Executive at Guy’s and St Thomas’, highlights the benefits: “The drone pilot combines two of our key priorities – providing the best possible patient care and improving sustainability. We are proud to be the first TRUST in London to trial this innovative approach to help speed up blood sample analysis for our most urgent cases.”
Environmental Benefits
Switching to drone deliveries isn’t just about speed; it also has significant environmental benefits. Lightweight commercial drones can reduce CO2e emissions by up to 99% compared to non-electric cars and use less electricity than electric delivery vans. This shift could significantly reduce the carbon footprint and traffic congestion associated with medical deliveries.
The Partnership
This six-month operation is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and is set to start in autumn 2024. It’s a collaboration between Guy’s and St Thomas’, Apian, a healthcare logistics company founded by NHS doctors, and Wing, a global drone delivery company under Google’s parent company, Alphabet.
Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber, praises the initiative: “This new service is a great example of how the innovation and vision of a London startup has brought much-needed investment from across the globe to tackle important health issues facing our city today – showing how London is leading the way in improving healthcare as we build a fairer London for all.”
The Bigger Picture
This trial is just the beginning. If successful, it could pave the way for drone delivery of other medical items for Guy’s and St Thomas’ and other London trusts. Dr Hammad Jeilani, Co-Founder of Apian, envisions a future where drones create more efficient models of working in the NHS: “Drones can increase the responsiveness and resilience of healthcare logistics, allowing clinicians to be more productive and patients to get the care they need sooner.”
DroneXL’s Take
This initiative underscores the transformative power of drones in healthcare. As seen in our recent articles on drone delivery, drones are increasingly becoming a lifeline, delivering critical medical supplies swiftly and sustainably. This trial in London is another step forward in integrating drones into our everyday lives, showcasing their potential to revolutionize healthcare logistics. We’re excited to see more innovations like this in the future.
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