The first of 22 new 'robots' have been ordered for use on the New South Glasgow Hospitals Campus.

The robots or automated guided vehicles (AGVs) will move the vast majority of goods around the new hospital complex once it’s open via a subterranean tunnel providing a safer system of working for staff and at the same time reducing the risk of moving and handling injuries.

The contract for the 22 new robots from Swisslog, a global provider of integrated logistics solutions, comes after the recent signing of the world’s most advanced contract in laboratory equipment for the new hospital’s ‘super lab’ which will open its doors this spring.

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NHS Greater and Clyde chief executive Robert Calderwood said: "I am delighted with the pace at which the New South Glasgow Hospitals project is developing, on time and on budget. This first order of the ‘robots’ further demonstrates this is a modern state-of-the-art building designed to be the very best it can be."

A key request from hospital facilities was to have an efficient system in place to help move around a variety of equipment and goods whether it be clean and dirty laundry to medication from the pharmacy to catering. The sheer size of the New South Glasgow Hospitals Complex means having an automated system in place means we can move goods around the hospitals and labs easily and quickly.

The robots will use dedicated lifts which are separated for clean and dirty goods and will travel in non public corridors. Described as "safe and people friendly", the robots will help deliver a variety of equipment and goods to wards and departments.

These 22 robots will be essential in helping to meet all the logistical demands of running a busy hospital complex and free up portering and facilities staff for other duties.

(GK)