Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, the integrated partnership of NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council have commissioned Skyports, a drone delivery provider, to trial deliveries.
The trial will use unmanned drones to deliver COVID-19 test kits and Personal Protective Equipment, between remote medical facilities.
It will consist of two-way flights between the hospital and Mull and Iona Community Hospital in Craignure 10 miles away on the Isle of Mull.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said “Delivery drones are a fast and reliable solution for vital medical supplies.”
“Our trial in Argyll and Bute provides an important short-term response to the current pandemic and lays the foundations from which to grow a permanent drone delivery operation across a network of healthcare facilities around the country.”
The two week trial is aimed to help isolated communities have access to tests, delivered in a fast and efficient way. Currently, the majority of medical supplies and specimens are transported between the laboratory at Lorn and Islands Hospital, by sea and road. The service aims to cut delivery times by up to 6 hours.
Joanna Macdonald, Chief Officer for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, said “I am delighted that Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership is again at the forefront in Scotland using new technologies to benefit our patients.”
“The use of drones provides real opportunities to improve services and will help enable quicker diagnosis for our patients.”
The programme is also working as part of the CAA Regulatory Sandbox programme, exploring how regulatory approvals can be granted for more widespread BVLoS drone operations in the UK.
