Drones Deliver in COVID-19 Healthcare Trial

The UK’s Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership National Health System (NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership) are implementing a two-week drone delivery trial to speed urgent medical cargo, such as COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE), to remote parts of the Scottish Highlands. Using the drones will cut delivery times from as long as six hours each way to as little as 15 minutes.

UK drone delivery provider Skyports will operate drones supplied by Wingcopter using SOARIZON a drone operations management platform produced by Thales. The service will connect Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban and Mull and Iona Community Hospital in Craignature 10 miles (16 km) away on the Isle of Mull.