"In 2024, the NHS began testing whether flying drones could do a better job than couriers shuttling blood samples between labs in Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals. Instead of weaving through traffic, the drones simply lifted off, crossed central London, and landed minutes later. Delivery times dropped to barely a couple of minutes, reliability shot up thanks to a lack of roadworks in the sky, and the service turned out to be cheaper too. Since then, more than 6,000 samples have been transported by air."
"The trial was run by Apian, a healthcare logistics company founded by NHS doctors, which has since partnered with Swiss drone delivery firm Matternet to expand the idea across London. Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) was the next to join the network, and now two more hospitals in south London are preparing for lift-off."
"Inside Great Ormond Street Hospital, robot dogs are being tested to meet incoming drones, collect the samples, and trot them off to the labs - cutting delays and freeing up staff for more important work."
In 2024 the NHS began testing flying drones to replace couriers transporting blood and pathology samples between hospital labs in central London. Drones lifted off, crossed the city, and landed minutes later, reducing delivery times to just a couple of minutes, improving reliability by avoiding roadworks, and lowering costs. More than 6,000 samples have been flown. The trial was run by Apian, a healthcare logistics company founded by NHS doctors, which partnered with Swiss firm Matternet to expand the network. Great Ormond Street Hospital and additional south London hospitals have joined, and robot dogs are being trialled to collect incoming drone deliveries and carry samples to labs.
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