Moray drone delivery trials completed between Dr Gray’s Hospital and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Futuristic drone deliveries could halve the time taken for life-saving medical materials to reach their destination, a recent test has shown.
The conclusions came after final trial flights between Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin and Aberdeen during November and December, it has been revealed.
After three weeks of drone tests, projteam found that urgently-required blood, medicine and laboratory samples could be moved across the region in just 80 minutes - rather than up to two-and-a-half hours by road.
Rural patients could also see the legnths of journeys for cancer drugs slashed, as drone technology could allow chemotherapy to be delivered closer to home.
Undertaken as part of Project CAELUS, the test was led by Aberdeen Airport’s owner AGS Airports along with 15 partners.
NHS Grampian, the lead health board said the futuristic flights could improve rural and remote healthcare.
Clinical lead Dr Jamie Hogg said: “It feels fitting that the final flight trials have taken place here in the north east of Scotland.
“Grampian region has remote and rural areas, urban centres and long distances between sites and this can be very challenging at times.
“These test flights are the key to unlocking the huge potential of drone networks to support our NHS services.
“The CAELUS team tested the transportation of medical products by drone between Elgin and Aberdeen.
“These trials build on the successful live flight trials we have hosted in and around NHS sites in Lothian, Borders, Ayrshire and Arran and Glasgow.
“The North of Scotland and the islands stand to benefit from this research and innovation with the potential to be more patient-focused and sustainable.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Business & Innovation, praised the Project CAELUS team for their work on live flight trials during the year.
“Scotland is a world leader in technological development, so I am pleased to see the CALEUS project progress further,” Mr Lochhead added.
“This is a pivotal example of industry, academia and the public sector working together to develop solutions to enhance our public services.
“The successful completion of live trials marks an important milestone in delivering the project, which promises a hugely promising solution to ensuring essential healthcare supplies are delivered where and when they are needed.”
Fiona Smith, Sustainability Director at AGS Airports, said: "Project CAELUS is a truly ground-breaking initiative that not only transforms healthcare logistics but also demonstrates how drones can be safely and effectively integrated into modern airspace.
“By leveraging this innovative technology, we can deliver critical medical supplies like blood products and diagnostic samples in record time, improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare access for remote and rural communities.
“These trials showcase the potential of a future where drones are a seamless part of our airspace, working alongside traditional aviation to serve vital societal needs."
The consortium of 16 partners, led by AGS Airports, make up CAELUS (Care & Equity - Logistics UAS Scotland), a project group which has developed and trialled what will be the UK’s first national distribution network using order fulfilment software that tasks drones to transport essential medicines, blood, organs and other medical supplies throughout Scotland.
Having received a total of £8.5m funding from the UK Industrial Strategy Future Flight Challenge Fund, since it started in January 2020, the CAELUS project has demonstrated how autonomous drone technology can enhance access to essential medical supplies, particularly in rural parts of Scotland.
The CAELUS consortium has proto-typed drone landing stations for NHS sites across Scotland and developed a digital simulator to support the modelling of delivery networks nationally.
This has the potential to connect hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres and GP surgeries across Scotland in the future.
Hazel Dempsey, national programme manager for NHS Grampian, said: "NHS Grampian is proud to be the lead board for NHS Scotland on CAELUS and we are delighted to have worked alongside our fellow boards and to be closing the project with our industry partners on this, our final live flight trial.”
