NHS trials drones to serve Isle of Wight

Trials of drones to transport medical supplies from the mainland to St Mary’s Hospital, near Newport on the Isle of Wight, were due to get underway this week. The Government has fast-tracked the trials because of Covid-19. They form part of Solent Transport’s Future Transport Zone programme, which the DfT awarded £28m to in March, of which £8m is for the drone trials (LTT 22 Nov 19). The drones were always to be tested first with the NHS, partly because public perception is expected to be more favourable if they are used for health purposes