Drones to deliver cancer drugs to the Isle of Wight if trial is successful

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Apian are researching the benefits to healthcare of transporting urgent clinical items over the Solent using un-crewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

If the research is successful, the clinical items will include the world’s first delivery of chemotherapy drugs by drone in November.

The three month trial, from September to November, hopes to solve some of the logistics challenges experienced as a result of the pandemic by providing efficient transport solutions for medicinal supplies.

Before the Isle of Wight NHS Trust approves flying live chemotherapy for their cancer patients, the University of Southampton, supported by Solent Transport, will test the impact of drone flight (e.g. vibration and temperature) on redundant medicine.

Maggie Oldham, Chief Executive of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said: "We are delighted to be part of this pioneering project researching a revolutionary way of transporting life-saving chemotherapy drugs."

"During the Covid-19 pandemic we have faced several challenges, including unprecedented supply chain and logistical demands worldwide and this led to us exploring different ways of working to ensure a safe and efficient service for our patients."

The UAVs are electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

They were designed and developed by Skylift, who were selected by Apian to be the project’s drone operator partners.

They will be based at the British Army’s Baker Barracks on Thorney Island and flown by former RAF, Royal Navy and airline pilots trained by Flyby Technology.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted permission for the UAVs to fly in segregatedairspace between Queen Alexandra Hospital’s helipad in Portsmouth, to Baker Barracks onThorney Island and on to St Mary’s Hospital’s helipad on the Isle of Wight.