For the first time in the UK, NHS drones are flying blood samples over London, cutting the journey time from 30 minutes by road to just two minutes. This new system, which is currently being trialled between Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, is already helping patients in need of critical care.
The aim? To support surgical patients at high risk of haemorrhage. Thank you to faster delivery, doctors receive test results more quickly and can adjust treatment in real time.
This innovative project is a partnership between the NHS, Apian, a healthcare delivery company, and Wing, a global drone service. NHS doctors co-founded Apian and have already worked with Wing to deliver similar drone services in Dublin and rural areas of the UK. Now they are bringing this innovation to London.
With each drone delivery, multiple blood samples are transported in secure medical containers. Up to ten deliveries are made daily, Monday to Friday, providing a steady flow of rapid results that can make a real difference to patient care.
The local community has welcomed the project and Wing has organised events to explain how drones work and the benefits to the health service. NHS staff say the integration of drones into hospital routines has gone smoothly and they are seeing real benefits, both for patients and for reducing emissions and traffic congestion.
Special authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority was required for this six-month trial. If successful, it could lead to an expansion of NHS drone services across the country, delivering other medical supplies with the same efficiency.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane praised the programme, saying it “could make a significant difference” to people’s lives. By reducing emissions and transport times, the drones not only help patients but also contribute to cleaner air in the city.
Lawrence Tallon, Deputy Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’, emphasised that this trial brings together innovation and sustainability in healthcare and paves the way for an NHS that is fit for the future.
With each successful delivery, the NHS, Apian and Wing are proving that drones are not just a futuristic technology — they are here now, helping to deliver the best possible care to patients, faster than ever before.