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Wing and Apian collaborate with Blackrock Health, St. Vincent's Private Hospital and Medtronic to deliver innovative medical supplies by drone in Dublin
Wing and Apian have launched a pioneering drone delivery trial in Dublin in partnership with Blackrock Health, St. Vincent’s Private Hospital and medical technology company Medtronic. The initiative aims to explore the benefits of drone technology in healthcare logistics, potentially revolutionizing the way medical supplies are transported to hospitals.
Over the coming months, Wing and Apian will use drones to deliver essential medical supplies and devices, starting with Medtronic’s PillCam™, sutures, surgical instruments and heart valve repair products. Future deliveries could include pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The first deliveries are expected to arrive soon at Blackrock Health’s Blackrock Clinic and St. Vincent’s Private Hospital.
This is Ireland’s first continuous medical device delivery service using drones. Medtronic’s Group Commercial Director Christian Howells highlighted the potential impact: “Using drones in medical logistics presents an exciting opportunity to get life-saving technologies to those who need them faster than ever before. Traditional supply chains have limitations that can be overcome by including drones. What we learn from this pilot will help create a more resilient, patient-focused supply chain.”
The experiment aims to achieve faster, more reliable, and more sustainable medical logistics. By reducing the dependence on road vehicles that are exposed to urban traffic congestion and higher carbon emissions, drones can make deliveries more efficient and environmentally friendly. Wing’s lightweight electric drone can travel at speeds of around 100 km/h, providing a faster alternative to existing transportation methods.
Dr Caroline Whelan, CEO of Blackrock Health, expressed optimism about the initiative: “At Blackrock Health, innovation is at the core of what we do and this partnership is a prime example of the opportunities that exist when integrating technology into the healthcare industry, with the added benefit of supporting our commitment to sustainability. We are excited about the possibilities this drone delivery service can provide and hope to expand its use beyond just delivering medical supplies to other services during inter-hospital hours.”
Brian Fitzgerald, CEO of St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, emphasized the alignment with the mission: “St. Vincent Healthcare Group continues to leverage advances in science and research to deliver innovative treatments and care to our patients. Participating in this trial allows us to continue that tradition and explore how St. Vincent’s Private Hospital can integrate drone technology into its hospitals to improve patient care, enhance supply chain management, and operate more efficiently and sustainably.”
The initiative will commence with up to 100 flights per week, ensuring high operational standards, with stringent safety measures and close collaboration with the Irish Civil Aviation Authority.
Nicole Shawn, Wing’s Head of Marketing and Communications, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: “Wing is delighted to be supporting a global leader in medtech and two innovative hospitals in meeting their need for more efficient delivery services for essential technologies. We are excited to be part of Ireland’s forward-thinking medtech market and to expand our existing retail and medical delivery portfolio globally. We look forward to this trial further demonstrating the clear value that Wing drone delivery brings to the healthcare industry and beyond.”
This trial represents a significant step forward in integrating drone technology into healthcare logistics. “Apian is providing a future model for a more innovative and efficient healthcare system, and we are proud to be part of this new partnership,” said Hammad Jeilani, Apian’s founder and medical director.
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