RoboDog: NHS Grampian exploring robotic dogs to assist staff
They'll help in areas such as catering, cleaning and medicine dispensing
Last updated 23rd Aug 2022
Robot dogs could soon be used in NHS Grampian, and across Scotland, to assist staff throughout health facilities.
'Spot', a robotic dog, was on show at the Suttie Centre at Aberdeen's Foresterhill hospital campus.
They could be used to assist in catering, cleaning and medicine dispensing in the future, across Scotland and beyond.
But Dr Jamie Hogg, clinical lead for innovation at NHS Grampian, insisted that they won't be replacing any staff: "There's no danger of robots replacing people, all we need really is some assistance for the staff on the ground to do their jobs as safely and efficiently as they can.
"Staff are always difficult to find for many of the trades in the NHS.
"So if robots can help for cleaning, dispensing medicine, these kind of things, it might be that releases more time for the staff to do things more patient orientated.
Adam Coldwells, director of strategy and deputy chief executive of NHS Grampian, said "We have already seen great strides forward in areas such as a robotic assisted surgery in Grampian and we recognise that there are opportunities in other areas as we look to recover from the impact of the pandemic and improve the health service moving forward in future."
Lisa Farrell, from the Robotarium, said “At the National Robotarium, we’re passionate about developing robotic and autonomous technology to improve safety, productivity, and efficiency in a variety of different settings.
“To have the opportunity to co-host this unique event, and explore how the use of robots and AI can improve the working lives of dedicated staff on the NHS frontline, is really exciting and has the potential to lead to the design and development of new technology and systems that can be of real benefit to healthcare staff and their patients.”