Expansion of London’s NHS drone delivery network announced
Wing’s drone delivering blood samples to St Thomas’ Hospital
The UK’s first routine drone delivery service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has now delivered over 5,000 patient samples, in partnership with global drone operator Wing
Apian expands its multi-operator approach by partnering with urban drone delivery leader Matternet, providing future facing logistics capabilities for the NHS
Apian and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children are scoping the next phase of drone delivery and ground robotics
Apian showcases the future of NHS logistics with advanced robotics at Downing Street reception during London Tech Week
UK healthcare logistics startup Apian has announced initial details about the expansion of the NHS drone delivery network in London. Matternet will be joining Apian’s multi-operator platform, marking its operational debut in the UK. Matternet specialises in urban drone delivery, carrying lab samples, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies in Switzerland since 2017 and in the United States since 2019.
Matternet’s delivery drone
This builds on the success of Apian’s existing service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ with Wing, which has demonstrated how on-demand drone delivery enables improved clinical productivity, cost savings and CO2 emission reductions. The expansion will add additional routes and a focus on NHS pathology networks, including centralised hubs like the SYNLAB hub laboratory in Blackfriars, helping process tens of millions of tests each month.
Apian is also advancing plans for autonomous ground delivery robots, designed to automate the final ‘clinical metre’ of hospital logistics. The robots will enable hands-free transport of samples and supplies directly between delivery drones and clinical teams, reducing delays and freeing up staff. Apian is working with Great Ormond Street Hospital to scope the integration of this technology alongside its drone operations.
Apian’s new autonomous ground delivery robot
Apian showcased the autonomous drones and delivery robots that are transforming UK healthcare logistics at a Downing Street reception during London Tech Week, highlighting the UK Government’s backing for this kind of critical innovation to support the NHS.
Apian continues to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as well as NATS, the air traffic management service, to ensure the safety of drone operations. The CAA’s innovative approach is transforming healthcare logistics, and with the backing of the Government’s Regulatory Innovation Office to create an effective regulatory landscape, can help to make the NHS fit for the future.
Professor Ian Abbs, CEO of Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “The drone trial has been an innovative way to help us care for our most vulnerable patients by speeding up test results, and doing this in a way which is sustainable. We are looking forward to working with Apian on the next phase which will expand the benefits to more of our staff and patients.”
Matternet CEO, Andreas Raptopoulos said: “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Apian and to operate in the UK for the first time. As a leader in medical drone delivery, we are well positioned to support the NHS in delivering faster, smarter and more equitable care for patients across the UK. On a personal level, this has extra meaning as my children were born in NHS hospitals.”
Apian Co-Founder and CEO, Alexander Trewby said: “From 5,000 patient samples delivered at Guy's and St Thomas', to quadruped robots at GOSH - we're building intelligent infrastructure that quietly transforms care. Our new partner Matternet brings choice and scale, helping us create logistics that work invisibly in the background and freeing up clinical teams to focus on the patients who need it most.”
