Frequently asked questions

Service details

What are you transporting?

We are carrying out the initial testing for a sustainable, on-demand drone network for critical paediatric pathology samples.

When will the service take place?

The Civil Aviation Authority has provided approval for an initial six month period. Trial flights began in July 2026.

Who is the team behind this service?

This project is being run as a partnership between GOSH, Apian and Matternet.

What are the benefits of medical drone delivery?

Drone delivery provides the NHS with faster, more predictable transport for time-critical medical items, including pathology samples, medicines and blood products. At GOSH, it may help to ensure that paediatric patients, a population often under-represented in healthcare innovation, benefit directly from these new capabilities.

By avoiding road congestion and reducing reliance on stretched staffing capacity, drones allow healthcare items to reach the right place at the right time. This enhances reliability across clinical pathways and accelerates decision-making for patients. For paediatric services, where acute illness can escalate rapidly, faster testing turnaround times are vital for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Operating within a regulated national framework, medical drones offer a safe, cost-effective alternative to road transport while strengthening NHS resilience during disruptions. Furthermore, by replacing courier journeys with zero-emission flights, this technology reduces air pollution and traffic, supporting cleaner air and safer streets for children and future generations.

How often do you fly?

We fly Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Can I get a delivery to my home?

This service is exclusively for the delivery of healthcare items between hospitals. There will be no deliveries to individual homes.

Drone and airspace details

What are the characteristics of the drone?

The Matternet M2 is a delivery drone designed and built for safe, efficient transport in urban and suburban areas. It carries payloads of up to 2kg over distances of up to 20km. With rapid battery and payload swapping, it can be ready for another delivery in under one minute. Learn more about the M2 here.

How high do the drones fly?

The drones fly at a cruising height of approximately 110 metres above the ground.

What route will the drone take?

The drones are intended to fly between GOSH and partner sites in its logistics network in London. They only fly within the airspace corridor approved by the Civil Aviation Authority covering these sites.

How fast do they get there?

Drones can accelerate the transport of pathology samples from GOSH to delivery points in this network by up to 90%.

Who flies the drone?

The drones are highly automated and operate along pre-programmed flight routes. All flights are overseen by a certified and trained Pilot in Command.

Can the drone fly in bad weather?

Yes, the drones can handle typical weather conditions, including significant rain and wind. Flights are paused when conditions become too extreme to ensure safety. Our system has been used in a range of temperatures and environments, including operations in Switzerland and the US.

Are the drones safe?

Absolutely. Safety is at the heart of the Matternet system. The M2 is the world’s only delivery drone to receive a standard Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, the USA’s gold standard for airworthiness. This certification demonstrates that the M2 was designed and tested to meet the highest aviation standards. Matternet has safely completed more than 60,000 commercial deliveries across urban and suburban markets and continues to work closely with aviation authorities worldwide, including the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, to uphold the same level of safety in every operation.

Do you need permission to fly?

Yes. Commercial drone delivery operations, such as these, are highly regulated by governmental agencies and require a specific operational authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority - the same authority that regulates crewed aviation (such as passenger planes).

Additionally, airspace approval is necessary before flying to ensure safe coordination with other airspace users, such as the Police, the Armed Forces, Fire Brigades, and Air Ambulances. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has reviewed these operations and has issued our airspace approval.

Do the drones have cameras?

No. The Matternet M2 does not have any surveillance or recording capabilities.

How environmentally friendly is it?

The M2 drones are 100% electric and produce zero emissions during flight. By replacing courier trips that would normally require cars, vans or motorbikes, drone delivery helps reduce CO₂ emissions, cut down on road congestion, and make logistics more sustainable.

Will I be able to hear the drones from my home/business?

Most people do not notice the drones flying overhead. The Matternet drones fly at approximately 110 metres above ground level and can pass extremely quickly at a speed of nearly 60 km/h. While flying, the drone average noise level is lower than city sounds from ground-level and significantly quieter than a car driving by.

Further information

Who can I talk to for more information?

Whether you’re a local resident, a patient or someone who works for the NHS, we’d love to hear from you!

If you’d like to hear more about this, or have any other questions or feedback, then we encourage you to reach out to us directly at feedback@apian.health or write to us at Apian, 2-6 Boundary Row, London SE1 8HP.