Matternet expands NHS drone network to Great Ormond Street Hospital
Matternet has added Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children to its NHS drone delivery network, using autonomous drones to slash transport times for pediatric pathology samples.
Matternet's NHS drone delivery network now serves Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, connecting it with The Doctors Laboratory for faster pediatric sample transport. The expansion, announced on October 20, links the hospital with nearby laboratory facilities operated by The Doctors Laboratory (TDL). The service uses autonomous drones to carry time-sensitive pediatric pathology samples. Plans exist to expand the service to additional locations within the NHS network.
Speed and clinical impact
The service reduces urgent sample transport times by up to 90%, enabling earlier testing and treatment decisions for children with complex conditions. Matternet claims drones can cut these times dramatically compared to existing methods. Faster sample arrival enables earlier testing and quicker results for children, according to Dr. Kimberly Gilmour, chief of laboratory medicine at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The initiative aims to accelerate laboratory testing and improve diagnostic pathways.
Partnership and operational details
The initiative is a collaboration between Matternet and Apian, utilizing autonomous drones to transport time-sensitive pediatric pathology samples between GOSH and TDL laboratories. Apian is a British healthcare logistics company founded by NHS doctors. It operates an NHS drone delivery network across London and develops logistics technology connecting hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies through autonomous drones, ground robotics, and software. Operations launched at the hospital in partnership with Apian.
Matternet works with other logistics providers including UPS and Ameriflight. The company recently introduced its next-generation M3 autonomous drone delivery platform. It holds operational approvals from the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority for its NHS drone delivery operations in London. The service also aims to reduce delays caused by London’s road traffic.
Scaling the service
Matternet has supported more than 60,000 commercial flights across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The company is based in Mountain View, California, and develops autonomous drone delivery systems for healthcare and commercial applications.
Dr. Tim Liversedge, chief of staff for core clinical services and consultant pediatric anesthetist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, highlighted the clinical need. "Children come to Great Ormond Street from all over the country, many of them with rare and complex conditions," he said. He added that the ambition with this partnership is to support clinical teams to transport and test samples faster. The network is poised for expansion to additional NHS locations as the service scales.
