The Nelson Health Centre in Merton, South London is supporting a pioneering new initiative that is set to significantly improve the speed, reliability, and sustainability of transporting blood test samples from local GP and primary care services to the central laboratory at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, South West London.
The innovative project delivered in partnership with South West London Pathology (SWLP), St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, autonomous healthcare logistics provider Apian, and global drone operator Wing, will see drones carry patient blood samples more than three miles across south London. Delivery times are expected to fall dramatically, with reductions of up to 85%, enabling much faster test analysis and clinical decision-making. It will also allow staff to do more with their time, and focus on patient care.
Faster turnaround times also strengthen plans to shift more care from acute hospitals into community settings, aligning with the Government’s mission to support neighbourhood healthcare in modern, accessible, health centres in the heart of local communities.
The Nelson Health Centre is centrally situated, providing a range of health services to local residents. As with many NHS LIFT buildings, its strategic location and modern, purpose built design make it an ideal hub for innovative initiatives like this, helping to streamline care pathways, support new models of delivery, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.
The new drone delivery service at the Nelson is set to commence in March 2026.
By introducing drones into our logistics operations, we’re harnessing cutting edge technology to improve NHS services. We'll be able to avoid disruption on south west London's notoriously busy roads, while accelerating turnaround times, enabling clinicians to make timely decisions and deliver world class care. This first phase is an exciting step in understanding how drone logistics can support more cost effective and resilient pathology services across south west London.
The Nelson Health Centre demonstrates how modern, well located community healthcare infrastructure can enable innovation. By supporting initiatives such as drone enabled diagnostics, the building helps accelerate test turnaround times, support care closer to home and ultimately improve patient health outcomes.
CHP supporting a Net Zero, Greener NHS
Drone transport offers significant environmental advantages over conventional road vehicles. Electric drones require less energy to operate, contributing to lower emissions, and help reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare logistics supporting a Greener NHS.
CHP aligns with the NHS’s commitment of being net zero carbon by 2045. We are proud of our sustainable ethos and achievements working with our LIFTCo partners, ICBs, NHS partners, Councils and community organisations.
We will continue to reduce our carbon emissions and environmental impact whilst leveraging opportunities to influence emissions arising from our LIFTCo partners, supply chain and actions of our employees and building tenants.
To read more details on the planned initiative: South west London patients next to benefit as the capital’s NHS drone delivery network expands — Apian
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