NSW Ambulance has conducted a rigorous two-month trial to find out. See what they found.
In a major leap forward for emergency healthcare delivery, NSW Ambulance has completed a two-month trial using drones to boost its aeromedical and special operations capabilities during search and rescue missions across the state.
The Remotely Piloted Aeromedical Clinical Systems (RPACS) trial enlisted cutting-edge technology to enhance patient care, operational safety and efficiency.
The trial was conducted in partnership with Toll Aviation and supported by the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund.
It explored how drone technology can enhance patient care, operational safety, and environmental sustainability. It has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of drones in aeromedical missions, with a focus on improving both the speed and safety of operations in remote and difficult-to-reach locations.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dr Dominic Morgan said integrating drones into the service’s operations “allows us to innovate and reduce environmental impact while maintaining the high standards of emergency care our communities expect”.
“RPACS drones can cover vast and challenging terrain rapidly and efficiently, ensuring that paramedics on the ground have access to real-time data that can help save lives,” he said.
As part of the project, seven critical care paramedics and special operations team paramedics were specially trained to operate, maintain and deploy RPACS drones as part of search and rescue missions.
These drones can provide real-time aerial surveillance to improve situational awareness and support decision-making on critical incidents, leading to better patient outcomes.
The RPACS drones feature thermal imaging, high intensity search lights, the ability to carry essential items, and a loudspeaker to communicate with patients. The device can live stream to a secure link so a medical response can be managed from a remote location.
This sophisticated response can include the delivery of lifesaving medical supplies – including blood products, anti-venoms and external defibrillators – directly to patients up to 7km away in isolated environments, where immediate access by conventional means may not be possible.
A full evaluation of the trial is now underway, looking at environmental sustainability, operational outcomes, and future benefits of this technology to patient care and aeromedical operations.
The NSW health minister described the trial as a “very exciting initiative which unlocks a range of potential to improve our ability to reach patients in difficult-to-reach locations”.
“These drones feature a range of capabilities to more effectively locate patients, communicate with them and deliver essential items,” he said.
“It allows aeromedical and special operations paramedics to make better decisions and therefore improve patient outcomes.
“I am so proud that NSW Ambulance is leading the way in the evolution of emergency healthcare.”