Project Léman

Lead Participant: APIAN LIMITED

Abstract

COVID-19 has highlighted the challenges and requirements for increased resilience in NHS supply chain logistics. There has never been a better time to create a faster, more dependable and environmentally friendly method of transporting medical supplies. A medical drone delivery service can break chains of COVID-19 transmission by taking humans out-of-the-loop, protecting key NHS staff and the wider public. It also frees-up key staff allowing them to focus on patient care and levelling up service provision..

Apian, a healthcare drone startup, founded by doctors in training, NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs and Innovation Fellows at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE), is collaborating with the hospital group and Pathology First (pathology laboratory) to deliver COVID-19 blood and swab tests between its hospitals and labs in response to the pandemic. In addition, Apian has also been requested by the Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and Isle of Wight NHS Trust to transport high-value chemotherapy drugs across the solent, due to the significant logistical disruption to ferries and hovercrafts by COVID-19.

Apian is uniquely positioned. Not only can they help solve the technical challenges of BVLOS, but they can also lay the foundation for legal frameworks, standards and best practice and guidelines from within the NHS, all while generating a strong public pull for drones in healthcare - key to unlocking drone delivery across the UK. Their understanding of the healthcare system, access to it and ability to transfer medical needs into technical requirements is what makes Project Léman unique. Apian is the NHS drone API, that integrates the NHS, drone industry and regulators. The platform will schedule and track deliveries, contract NHS certified drone operators, match delivery requests to available lab capacity, manage risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

Project Léman will see Apian tender multiple drone providers and select the most appropriate operators for each use-case based on the needs of the patient and clinician. There will be a four week flying demonstration at MSE and the solent delivering patient samples and chemotherapy to enable quicker diagnosis through reduced travel times and a more environmentally sustainable manner. At the end of the project, Apian plans to scale and share its learnings, including the impact on health outcomes, through a published white paper for wider industry and public benefit.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

APIAN LIMITED £791,000 £ 553,700

Publications

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