Drone carries NHS lab samples between health boards in Scottish first

Lab specimens have been flown between NHS health boards in Scotland for the first time.

The joint venture between AGS Airports and NHS Scotland began with a three-week trial between NHS Lothian and NHS Borders.

The drone flew between the Edinburgh BioQuarter next to the Royal Infirmary and Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

Currently, lab samples are transported by road and can take up to five hours – delivery by drone can take as little as 35 minutes.

The project, known as Project CAELUS, has been working with NHS sites across Scotland with an aim to develop a network of drones connecting hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres and GP surgeries.

Last year they ran another successful trial of the technology, flying drones between Glasgow Airport and NHS Golden Jubilee in Clydebank.

The project has been working with NHS sites across Scotland with an aim to develop a drone delivery network. Project CAELUS

Hazel Dempsey is the CAELUS NHS Scotland programme lead: “Our aim, from an NHS perspective, is to explore opportunities where drone technology could benefit patients and NHS services.

“The NHS is reliant on van logistics that have provided valuable service for decades, however these can take time, travelling hundreds of road miles each day.

“This project will enable the NHS to consider if drone technology is viable and able to contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of our population.”

Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director and executive lead for innovation, NHS Lothian added: “Lothian and the surrounding areas are very diverse, from city to country and coastal living.

“Drones could play an important role in helping to transport samples for testing or speed up the delivery of critical medical supplies.”

“These exciting trial flights have been a collaborative effort between our clinical leads, South East Innovation Hub and partner organisations and I look forward to seeing further developments with this project.”