A company introducing its robots into a new Midlands ‘super hospital’ claims its systems could ‘revolutionise’ patient care all over the UK, and ‘save millions of pounds annually’.
Nottingham-based Aerocom (UK) has supplied automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick, and is claiming that they are ‘giving hours of patient care’ back to the NHS.
The AGVs are being used to carry heavy loads quickly from the hospital warehouse to the ward hubs on each floor. Tom Hughes, MD, Aerocom (UK), said: “This new way of working could literally transform the NHS in terms of man hours, and free up much-needed cash. We were delighted to be asked by the Midland Metropolitan Hospital to assist it with this project, and hope more hospitals will follow suit. The negotiations and discussions around the project have been taking place over a four-year period, and to see the AGVs finally in action is a tremendous moment for our team here.”
The new robots, manufactured by German brand, MLR, work by interpreting a staff command. A request is given to the robot, telling it where to pick up and drop off the goods. The robots move quickly along the corridors, but can stop for safety when nearby objects or staff are detected. There are sensors along the corridor walls which help the robots send and receive signals.
Heavy lifting once done specifically the porters can now often be undertaken by the robots..
Zaheer Iqbal, Portering manager at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: “Porters are hugely essential in our Trust, and will continue to be so forever. They do a valuable job, not just in moving our patients around to get them to appointments and different departments, but also in helping the general visitors that come in with directions.”
Aerocom says estimates suggest that for each AGV used within the NHS, 19,500 man-hours could be released over a five-year timeframe, with ROI within four years.
For over 20 years, Aerocom (UK) has supplied the NHS with internal logistics solutions, AGVs, specialised blood sample handling pneumatic tube systems and, more recently, fire suppression technology. The contract for the new AGVs came as a result of a long-standing relationship to provide pneumatic tube systems.
