Medical drones take to UK skies

Electric drones carrying blood samples, COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment are set to take to the skies. The drones will be used to deliver medical supplies by a small start-up company called Apian that was founded by two trainee medics as part of the NHS’s clinical entrepreneur programme. Apian uses satellite communication to establish a network of secure air corridors for the drones. Using drones avoids courier call-out waiting times, frees up NHS staff, reduces unnecessary physical contact and minimises the risk of secondary transmission of the virus. The project is being funded by the UK Space Agency in collaboration with ESA.