Uncrewed medical supply flights start trials in skies above Northumberland
Chemotherapy drugs and blood samples are among the items being flown by Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles from today (February 13, 2023) in the skies above Northumberland.
The trials are being carried out by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Apian, a medical drone logistics start-up company that is funding the trial.
Following a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations in segregated airspace, the test flights will take place up until May 12 along a route from Wansbeck General Hospital, Ashington to Alnwick Infirmary and onto Berwick Infirmary.
Using drones could reduce delivery times, make efficiencies and cut carbon emissions. The trial will collect logistical data and assess the impact on patient experience, staff resources and the environmental benefits.
In a statement, Sir James Mackey, chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “With the area we cover and the number of hospitals and other sites we manage, having effective logistics to get supplies where they need to be is vital.
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