NHS partnership opens skies for medical drone deliveries in Cornwall

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has entered a multi-year partnership with Open Skies Network to introduce a National Health Service (NHS) medical drone delivery service across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, aimed at improving access to healthcare in one of the UK’s most geographically challenging regions.

The collaboration will initially focus on the use of cargo drones to transport pathology samples and essential medical supplies between healthcare sites. Over time, the partners will also explore the potential use of piloted electric aircraft for medical transport, helping to shape a future-ready healthcare system.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly face unique challenges due to their isolation, weather dependency, and the 30 miles of water separating the islands from the mainland. The program builds on earlier work carried out under the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge and will see Open Skies Network formalize takeoff and landing locations, as well as the supporting infrastructure needed for routine medical drone operations.

Debbie Richards, Chief Executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “With 30 miles of water between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland, our region’s geography dictates that we do things differently. Our work with Open Skies Network is all about adopting new technology and helping the NHS to realize the benefits of drone technology… to deliver improved patient care and responsiveness.”

She added that the aim was to support services such as “same-day prescriptions and medical sample deliveries… reducing healthcare-related travel… regardless of geography.”

Gareth Whatmore, Chief Executive of Open Skies Network, said the organization’s earlier work in the region had already helped establish national capability. “From drone deliveries of testing kits and PPE during Covid-19… our previous work in Cornwall has led UK capability for the NHS when it comes to drone-enabled healthcare logistics,” he said.