The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) drone delivery in London is entering its next phase, with urgent pathology samples set to be transported by zero-emission drones across south west London, helping clinicians access faster test results and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care, according to the programme organisers Apian.
Drones will carry pathology samples from the Nelson Health Centre in Merton to South West London Pathology (SWLP) network’s central laboratory at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, with delivery times expected to be reduced by up to 85%, says Apian. “By supporting GP and primary care services at the Nelson Health Centre, this network will show how drone delivery can support plans to shift care from hospitals into the community,”
The new service, on behalf of SWLP and St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, demonstrates how the NHS is advancing innovative logistics solutions to overcome the limitations of traditional, road-based transport and improve patient outcomes. “This builds on the successful first phase of London’s NHS drone delivery network with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and pathology provider Synnovis,” said Apian. “Apian’s service – operated by drone partner Wing – safely transported over 6,000 patient samples, providing average cost savings of 28% and reducing CO₂ emissions by 98.4% per delivery compared to dedicated urgent ad hoc courier vans.”
“The new services brings together SWLP and St George’s with Apian, a British autonomous logistics startup founded by NHS doctors, and Wing, a global drone operator with more than 750,000 commercial deliveries worldwide. Working closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and in close partnership with air traffic management provider NATS, the service will proceed following the conclusion of final regulatory requirements in the coming weeks.”
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(Image: Apian)