Medical drone services trialled in southern Denmark

The trial flight was launched from OUH Svendborg Hospital to a healthcare facility in Ærø, and is intended to pave the way for the regular transportation of blood samples and medicine to remote islands off the Danish coast.

The 50km flight was completed in 40 minutes, and demonstrated the potential for substantial reductions in transport times compared with traditional methods – traditionally medical samples and equipment is transported via ferry between Svendborg and Ærø, taking just under two hours each way.

Falck said that the implementation of the service is an ‘important milestone’ which enables ‘further expansion to other routes where the use of drones can make a difference for people’s health’.

The test flight is part of the Danish healthcare system's HealthDrone project, which aims to integrate drone technology into its operations. The project is supported by a number of 

The HealthDrone project will integrate drones into the Danish healthcare system. Behind the project is a partnership consisting of Falck, Holo, Unifly, Scandinavian Avionics, the University of Southern Denmark and OUH. The project is also being supported through work by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen), air traffic controller Naviair, the Danish Innovation Fund.

Falck said that it has plans to not only transport medicine and blood samples, but added: “Within three to five years, it is expected that drones will not only transport equipment or blood samples, but it will also be possible to fly a doctor or paramedic to an injury site.”

It follows the launch of Falck’s new developmental unit Vertical in March 2022, which the company said would ‘support innovation in the prehospital emergency area’, with drone technology being a key interest alongside artificial intelligence and green technologies.