In a groundbreaking development for Scotland, laboratory specimens have been transported between NHS boards using a drone for the first time.
The Care and Equity Healthcare Logistics UAS Scotland (CAELUS) project, spearheaded by AGS Airports in collaboration with NHS Scotland, conducted a three-week flight trial connecting NHS Lothian with NHS Borders. The diverse nature of Lothian and its surrounding areas, from urban to rural and coastal, highlights the potential of drones to enhance the transport of samples and expedite the delivery of essential medical supplies.
The live flights occurred between the Edinburgh BioQuarter adjacent to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Borders General Hospital in Melrose.
At present, transporting laboratory samples that are crucial for urgent clinical decisions is done via road, which can take up to five hours from NHS Borders to NHS Lothian. This time could be reduced to just 35 minutes with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Project CAELUS aims to establish the first national drone network in Scotland, capable of delivering medicines, blood samples, and other medical supplies, including to remote areas. The initiative involves 16 consortium partners working towards this goal.
The CAELUS project is partially funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge and includes partners such as the University of Strathclyde, Skyports Drone Services, NATS, and NHS Scotland.
Since January 2020, the CAELUS team has developed drone landing stations for NHS facilities across Scotland and created virtual models of a proposed delivery network linking hospitals, pathology labs, distribution centers, and GP surgeries.
This advancement represents a significant leap for the project. Scotland is progressing towards a truly integrated airspace where drones operate safely and efficiently alongside traditional aircraft.
Image source: Project CAELUS