THE Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) in Qld is trialling a high-tech drone to transport blood tests between rural hospitals and larger facilities to speed up testing and analysis.
It is similar to a trial launched last year, which is an ongoing one in Goondiwindi, involving pharmacies delivering medications to rural properties via drones, ABC News has reported.
The trial, which is funded by the Federal Govt, is taking place in the state's South Burnett region with the drone flying pathology samples from small hospitals like Nanango and Wondai to a larger base at Kingaroy Hospital.
"The drones are flying specimens and pharmaceuticals into the Kingaroy hub in 15 mins," said healthcare worker and drone hobbyist Dave Pugsley (pictured), who is also involved in the trial.
"We've halved the flying time."
Nanango Hospital Director of Nursing Karen Cooke said they often had to rely on nurses to drive samples between hospitals, but now if the delivery truck has left, and they need blood test results they call up the drone.
The DDHHS has a contract with Melbourne-based Swoop Aero, the same drone logistics company that partnered with TerryWhite Chemmart (TWC) Goondiwindi and healthcare wholesaler Symbion with funding from EBOS Group.
Guild Pharmacy of the Year winner and TWC Goondiwindi pharmacist Lucy Walker had predicted that the trial would forge the path for similar autonomous aviation services in the future.
"This project is really paving the way for regional Australia and setting the standard for the future of remotely-operated deliveries."
"Most importantly, it will ensure people in regional areas are serviced just as well as those living in town with better, faster, and more convenient access to healthcare essentials," said Walker. JG
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