Drone carries NHS lab samples across Firth of Clyde in trial for remote communities

NHS lab specimens have been delivered to the Isle of Arran via drone for the first time as Project CAELUS continues to innovate.

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

The project is being carried out in NHS sites across Scotland to develop a network of drones connecting hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres, and GP surgeries.

Drones have now flown laboratory samples across the Firth of Clyde for the first time.

Live flying took place between University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock and the Arran War Memorial on the Isle of Arran.

The trial aims to address logistical challenges faced by remote communities such as those on the island, where diagnostic samples are currently transported by road and ferry to mainland hospitals, a process that can take up to five hours.

Using a drone can shorten this process to at least 30 minutes.

Fiona Smith, project director for CAELUS, said: “Project CAELUS continues to work hard and be at the cutting edge of innovation.

“Our goal is to build a national drone network that can transport essential medicines, blood, and other medical supplies efficiently, particularly for Scotland’s rural and island communities.

“This technology could provide quicker diagnostic results and treatment decisions, ultimately improving patient care across the country.”

In the latest live flight trials, tests were also carried out on how NHS staff would engage with the drone physically and digitally in the future.

Karen Bell, national NHS programme lead for CAELUS said: “NHS Grampian is pleased to be working with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the West of Scotland Innovation Hub to further understand the benefits this technology could bring to healthcare delivery in island Communities.”

Consultant clinical scientist Janet Hogg from the Department of Biochemistry in NHS Ayrshire & Arran added: “Exploring how drone technology could be usefully used as a way of delivering care to people who live in urban, remote, rural and island locations is edging ever-closer to reality.

“Here in Ayrshire and Arran, we are well positioned to participate in this drone trial because of our vast geographical area of island and remote populations. This work has the potential to greatly enhance patient experience.”