First phase of drone trial in South Burnett a success | Video

For the first time in Australia, drones have been flying between several towns across the Burnett in a trial that heralds a new era in regional health care. Watch the amazing behind-the-scenes video here:

A trial using drones to transport pathology samples and medical supplies over hundreds of kilometres between Murgon, Wondai, Nanango and Kingaroy in the Burnett has been hailed an Australian first and a new era in regional health care.

Darling Downs Health has partnered with drone company Swoop Aero, with the goal of transporting medical supplies and pathology samples between consumers, hospitals and laboratories so patients can be seen, treated and released quicker.

Darling Downs Health Rural Operations manager Dave Pugsley said the first phase of the trial was almost complete and the second phase was expected to begin in early 2024.

“Last week we had a Nanango patient who was in (the emergency department) and needed a blood sample taken. The blood sample was taken, put in a drone, (it was) collected at 11.05am and was at the lab at 11.25am,” Mr Pugsley said.

“This is the first ever flight of a pathology specimen in Australia by a remote piloted aircraft.”

The drone pilot is based in Melbourne at the Swoop Aero operation centre and communicates with the hub operator in Kingaroy.

Darling Downs Health has been using drones to deliver medical supplies and pathology samples around the South Burnett.

Swoop Aero haa been involved in medical deliveries in other parts of the world for a number of years.

Mr Pugsley said before phase two could launch, CASA needed to approve the operation. If approved, they will begin flying the drones to Toowoomba.

“We want to see these drones fly from Kingaroy to Toowoomba,” he said.

“And then to create a network of flying paths between the Darling Downs and 90,000 square kilometres that we cover.”

Mr Pugsley said he liked to describe it as “healthcare in the sky”.

The trial has been using Swoop Aero’s most advanced aircraft, The Kite, which can travel up to 200km/h.

It can carry almost 5kg of payload which is carefully packed into a specially designed box, able to withstand heavy impacts.

CASA has yet to give a date for when it will make the decision regarding the trial’s next phase.