Device aims to make NHS supply chain more sustainable

Manchester Innovation agency, Axelisys, has used its fintech and healthcare expertise to develop and build an on-site FabLab which reduces the NHS climate impact and helps resolve supply chain issues.

Automedi, funded by InnovateUK, is a smart on-site manufacturing machine for care. The device lets care organisations take control of supply chains by making healthcare equipment directly at the point-of-care, cutting out all delivery emissions, increasing plastic recycling and reducing shortages of equipment.

Axelisys has historically worked on several innovation projects and was involved in many of the North’s greatest tech enterprises. It was also part of the team behind the original ClearPay fintech platform.

Ethar Alali, owner of Axelisys and Automedi inventor, said: “Technology has the power to do significant good when used correctly. At a time of unparalleled crisis, many organisations have to look outside traditional routes to plug weaknesses that COVID-19 exploited that have claimed lives and cost the UK billions. The pandemic put a spotlight on the weaknesses in global supply and showed just how vulnerable UK supply chains are. With upcoming challenges well into the new year, technologies such as Automedi are now crucial in rebalancing the scales firmly in the NHS’ favour.”

The healthcare supply chain crisis is a growing, global concern. The director general of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warns: “Without secure supply chains, the risk to healthcare workers around the world is real. Industry and governments must act quickly to boost supply, ease export restrictions, and put measures in place to stop speculation and hoarding. We can’t stop COVID-19 without protecting healthcare workers first.”

The NHS supply chain is currently accountable for 60% of all carbon emissions from NHS transportation each year, consuming 3.4 million litres of fuel. The NHS alone generates 133,000 tonnes of plastic care waste per year with 5% being recycled. During the current health crisis, the new UK PPE dedicated Supply Chain has introduced even more logistics services to supply the NHS with equipment within 48-72 hours, further increasing the number of road journeys made by the health service. Automedi aims to cut these emissions by providing PPE and other healthcare products directly at the healthcare site via a 3D Printer and live catalogue.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, founder Ethar Alali, wanted to use his team’s knowledge to invent a system that would stop shortages of healthcare equipment for people on the front-line while also reducing unnecessary environmental costs. Automedi was born from a will to revolutionise the way that NHS supply chains function and has the aim of becoming the NHS’ recognised alternative supply chain.

Alali believes now is the time to use technology to help make the supply chain run more smoothly, reduce unnecessary emissions and decrease plastic waste.

He said: “Instead of making products such as face-visors and mask frames in a factory somewhere else, then shipping it, risking shortages, time and emitting huge amounts carbon, care technicians can now use Automedi to make equipment on-site at a fraction of the financial and climate cost.”

Automedi combines 3D printing, live catalogue, a user interface with fleet support, all consumables and software and hardware upgrade into a simple managed service. The Automedi fleet is also monitored through a cloud-based fleet management platform, supported by a management team. They respond to device calls, deliver consumables, fit hardware upgrades, and recycle surplus material. All through one managed service subscription. Each device subscription uses PLA as standard. Polylactic Acid is one of the most recyclable plastics in polymer science. 

After receiving the necessary funding from InnovateUK, the initial R&D prototypes were produced in June. Automedi has since developed its first machines in July and launched in August.

The Axelisys team plans to expand the Automedi device fleet across Greater Manchester’s Health and Social Care network. A UK wide launch of their alternative supply chain will then be rolled out in early 2021.