NHS ARGYLL & BUTE DELIVER CRITICAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES ON-DEMAND BY DRONE
Flying up to 50 miles BVLOS in a single mission, NHS Argyll and Bute transported critical medical supplies such as COVID-19 tests, pathology samples and medicine by drone between its NHS medical facilities, slashing the usual 36 hour delivery time to just 30 minutes.
Location: United Kingdom
Industry: Healthcare
Drone used: Swoop Aero
Partner: European & UK Space Agencies, Deloitte, Vodafone
The challenge
Providing urgent medical care to some of the UK’s remotest communities
There are many reasons to live in the Inner Hebrides and its islands: wild, unspoiled landscapes and breathtaking beaches, mountains and lochs. But this remoteness and inaccessibility provides a considerable challenge when urgent medical care is required.
NHS Argyll and Bute operates medical facilities across the islands of the Inner Hebrides in Scotland, with ferries providing the doctors and islanders alike with a vital lifeline to the mainland and its hospitals. During the pandemic, when medical supplies including COVID-19 testing kits (and the results) had to be delivered as quickly as possible, travel took on a new urgency.
The solution
Automated, on-demand drone deliveries for critical medical cargo
During a three-month drone delivery initiative, Skyports used its drones to fly critical medical cargo from NHS locations on the Scottish mainland to more remote facilities such as the Mull and Iona Community Hospital.
Each drone, carrying as much as 3kg, left one of Skyports’ Remote Operations Centres in Argyll and Bute, then automatically tracked a pre-defined route, rising up to 5,000 feet and travelling as fast as 80mph.
When it reached its destination, the drone locked on to a large QR code to land, which could be sensed by the drone even in marginal weather conditions. Once it landed, the drone’s cargo could then be unloaded and reloaded unassisted by an attendant from the NHS facility.
With no need to navigate rugged terrain, or changeable ferry and tide timetables, test results could be turned around in as little as two hours.
The result
Rapid deliveries, providing faster diagnosis and care
Medical deliveries that once took up to 36 hours were slashed to just 30 minutes, with flights covering over 50 miles, saving time and, potentially, lives.
Over the course of the project, Skyports flew over 14,000kms BVLOS, serving 900 patients, and saving NHS Argyll & Bute 12,000 hours of COVID-19 and pathology waiting and transport time.
Drone-delivered medical cargo also meant fewer touch points, reducing cost. With the drones being all electric, there was also a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to the usual journey by van and ferry, providing a significant environmental benefit.
The time savings made provided real-life benefits for the NHS and patients. Treatment started sooner. Unnecessary treatment was avoided. Patient “what if…?” anxiety was relieved.
TESTIMONIAL
“The use of drones provides real opportunities to improve services, and will help enable quicker diagnoses for our patients."
Joanna MacDonald
Chief Officer for Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership