A pioneering project using drones to deliver medical supplies across Scotland has been heralded as a “technological revolution.”
Spearheaded by AGS Airports, Project CAELUS is backed by over £7 million in funding and helping to revolutionise aviation and accelerate the development of drones across multiple industries.
In a ground-breaking first for Scotland, laboratory samples have been flown from Edinburgh to Melrose by drones, thanks to the project. A journey that usually takes up to 5 hours by road transport could now take as little as 35 minutes.
Andy Cliffe, CEO of AGS Airports, said:
It is well established that a region with strong connectivity will enjoy increased levels of trade and tourism. Since the first flight took to the skies in 1934, the airport has been integral to the success of the region and the Minister’s support for further enhancing the north east’s links is extremely welcome.
We also recognise the airport has a much wider role to play beyond supporting economic growth; it can mobilise and drive change for the better.
Fostering innovation is one of the ways we can achieve this and through Project CAELUS we have a real opportunity to revolutionise the way in which healthcare services are delivered across Scotland.
Cancer patients in England have already been the first in the world to benefit from chemotherapy delivered by drone as part of trial which started in 2022.
The drone programme, initially trialled in the Isle of Wight followed by Northumbria, allows clinicians to make “same-day orders” for vital medical equipment and other treatments.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the drone deliveries were just the latest “extraordinary” instalment showcasing NHS innovation and cutting-edge technology.
In the first of its kind trial, starting on the Isle of Wight, chemo was flown directly from the pharmacy at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust to St Mary’s Hospital, where staff collected it before distributing it to hospital teams and patients.
It was found the drones cut the usual delivery time from four hours to 30 minutes, saving fuel and money and making cancer care much more convenient for patients living on the Isle of Wight who often need to travel to the mainland for treatment at the moment.
Each drone delivery replaces at least two car journeys and one hovercraft or ferry journey per delivery – saving carbon emissions and contributing to improving air quality for patients and the community.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said:
“Delivering chemo by drone is another extraordinary development for cancer patients and shows how the NHS will stop at nothing to ensure people get the treatment they need as promptly as possible – while also cutting costs and carbon emissions.
“From a smartwatch to manage Parkinson’s to revolutionary prostate treatments and making the most expensive drug in the world available to NHS patients, it has been another amazing year of innovation in the way the health service delivers treatment and care.”
