A groundbreaking trial has been conducted where blood supplies were flown between two hospitals in Northumberland by drone, in a journey that took just over an hour and saved seven minutes compared to the traditional road route. The company behind the scheme, logistics company Apian, hopes to roll out this innovative method across the country.
The trial involved 10 identical blood packs making a 68km journey from Wansbeck hospital to Alnwick and back, with half transported by drones flying at over 100kph and the other half by road. The results showed that the quality of blood delivered by drone was not compromised, with lab results revealing no damage to blood cells or changes in potassium levels.
Dr Gail Miflin, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, hailed the results as promising, showing that drone transportation of blood is safe. The potential benefits of using drones for blood deliveries are immense, especially in areas where it is difficult to transport blood quickly.
Apian, founded by NHS doctors and a former Google Health entrepreneur, aims to revolutionize delivery systems for hospitals and clinics. The company’s drone trials have been met with positivity, but a full-scale rollout would require approval from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Drones have already been used for delivering blood in Rwanda and organs for transplants in the US and Canada, showcasing the potential for this technology to transform the healthcare delivery system. The use of drones could not only expedite blood deliveries in remote areas but also in large urban centers like London where traffic congestion poses challenges for timely deliveries.
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