Scotland’s first national medical drone network could be a step closer following a pioneering project aiming to revolutionise healthcare logistics.
As part of Project CAELUS, live flight trials were conducted across Scotland in 2024 using drones to rapidly transport medical supplies and diagnostic samples between mainland hospitals and remote or rural locations.
Landing stations
The 16-member consortium led by AGS Airports and including the University of Strathclyde, Skyports Drone Services, NATS and NHS Scotland, also prototyped landing stations for drones at NHS sites across Scotland.
The innovative project builds on years of research developed in the Aerospace Centre of Excellence at the University of Strathclyde. An expert team, led by Dr Marco Fossati, also developed a digital simulator to support the modelling of delivery networks nationally.
The initiative has demonstrated how autonomous drone technology can enhance access to essential medical supplies, particularly in rural parts of Scotland with the potential to connect hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres and GP surgeries in the future.
Key findings
This week, aviation and healthcare innovators gathered at Glasgow Science Centre for a showcase event, where key findings and innovations were unveiled from the project.
The event, attended by industry leaders, also featured key addresses from UK Aviation Minister Mike Kane and Scottish Business and Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead, underscoring the project’s national significance.
Dr Fossati, the University of Strathclyde’s principal investigator for the project, said:
“The transformative potential of drone networks in delivering critical medical supplies cannot be overstated. Together with my research team at Strathclyde, we developed a digital blueprint for a drone delivery network that could connect hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres, and GP surgeries across Scotland, revolutionising healthcare logistics.”
“This project exemplifies the University of Strathclyde’s interdisciplinary strengths, with vital contributions from across our faculties, including from Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, the Business School, Management Science, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation. “
NHS Grampian has championed a “once for Scotland” approach, exploring how drone technology can transform access to healthcare, particularly in remote and rural areas.
Fiona Smith, Sustainability Director at AGS Airports said:
“It has been a pleasure to lead CAELUS as the project director for the last four years.”
“There has been some incredible work by our consortium through our live flight trials in various parts of Scotland. Sharing our findings and research today means Project CAELUS will have a lasting legacy.”
Vital healthcare
Aviation Minister, Mike Kane said:
“I’m thrilled to see innovative uses of drones having a positive impact on people’s lives, enabling greater access to vital healthcare supplies and services, as well as supporting jobs and opportunities.
“It’s fantastic that Project CAELUS has brought innovators, health trusts and others together to revolutionise how the future aviation sector can support valued institutions like the NHS, and also boost the economy, delivering on our Plan for Change.”
The project received a total of £8.5M funding from the UK Industrial Strategy Future Flight Challenge Fund, since it started in January 2020.
Karen Bell, National NHS Innovation Programme Lead in NHS Grampian, has supported all health boards across Scotland to participate in Project CAELUS, and said:
“By working together we’ve been able to demonstrate the potential this technology has to transform the future of healthcare, particularly in rural areas.”
“We’ve shown we can integrate with colleagues managing our air space, as well as regulatory bodies and suppliers to save time when it is most precious. We have developed ways to deliver medical supplies using drones safely and effectively.”