Drone deliveries are set to become a core part of pathology logistics across south west London after a pilot demonstrated faster transport of urgent NHS samples between primary care and hospital laboratories.
South West London Pathology (SWLP) said it plans to expand its drone delivery network to additional hospitals and GP sites after incorporating the technology into its wider modernisation programme.
Since February 2026, drones have been transporting pathology samples from Nelson Health Centre in Raynes Park to the SWLP laboratory at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, completing the journey in just over three minutes compared with around 20 minutes by road.
The service is being delivered in partnership with healthcare logistics company Apian and is designed to improve the speed and reliability of transporting urgent pathology samples while reducing reliance on London’s congested road network.
SWLP provides pathology services for a population of around 1.8 million people, processing 51 million samples each year for NHS trusts and GP practices across south west London.
Simon Brewer, managing director of SWLP, said: “We are investing heavily in automation and digitisation, introducing other cutting-edge technologies to improve diagnostic precision and speed across the network.
“But the impact of this investment will be restricted if samples are still getting stuck on roads. Drones help us move samples faster, cheaper and greener, and are now a core consideration of our logistics plans.”
The pathology network now plans to extend drone connections to sites including St Helier, Croydon and Kingston hospitals, alongside additional primary care locations.
SWLP said more than 2,000 patients have already benefited from the service, with deliveries reported to be up to 85% faster than conventional ground transport. The quicker turnaround supports clinicians in making more timely treatment decisions, it adds.
The organisation also believes wider deployment could reduce logistics costs. On some routes, drone deliveries are reported to be up to 23% cheaper than existing urgent courier services, with further savings expected as the network expands.
Environmental benefits are also being highlighted. According to SWLP, the electric drones produce 98% less CO₂ per delivery than vans, supporting wider NHS ambitions to reduce emissions.
The inclusion of Nelson Health Centre marks the first routine use of drones to collect pathology samples from an NHS primary care facility.
Andy Christodoulou, senior portfolio manager at Community Health Partnerships, which manages the site, described the project as “a fantastic innovation” that demonstrates how NHS infrastructure can support new models of care.
Dr Sabena Mughal, NHS paediatric consultant and director of healthcare partnerships at Apian, said: “Drone delivery is no longer a novelty; it has become an essential part of healthcare logistics.”
She added that the company’s focus is now on expanding similar services across the NHS.