Edinburgh Airport hosts immersive medical training for future doctors in aviation scenarios

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) recently hosted a landmark training session for future doctors, providing hands-on experience in handling in-flight emergencies. The initiative, organised by NHS Fife, saw final-year medical students from the ScotGEM programme and Dundee University participate in realistic medical incident simulations on board an aircraft and within the airport environment.

The programme, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, aimed to expose students to clinical scenarios they may encounter outside traditional NHS settings, including emergencies occurring during commercial flights. Sixteen students from the University of St Andrews and the University of Dundee took part, benefiting from immersive, scenario-based training designed to enhance their confidence and practical skills.

Dr Charlotte Reid, ScotGEM Teaching Fellow at NHS Fife, initiated the project to fill a gap in medical education. “GMC Good Medical Practice says doctors must offer assistance in emergencies if able, being mindful of safety and competence. One of the most daunting situations is being on a plane, with no equipment, internet, or ability to call for help. This training prepares students for real-life challenges outside their NHS roles,” she said.

The exercise involved collaboration across multiple partners. Jet2 provided an aircraft and cabin crew for the session, while the Edinburgh Airport Fire Service offered access to its training rig. The airport itself played a central role, giving students a realistic operational environment in which to apply their knowledge.

Peter Barnes, Chief Operations Officer at Edinburgh Airport, highlighted the airport’s contribution: “Opening up aircraft and the airport to this kind of hands-on learning is not something we do every day. It’s been brilliant to see the students gain from it. We are proud to facilitate practical experiences that future doctors can learn from.”

Following the evaluation, NHS Fife plans to share the learning, training materials, and expertise to promote similar aviation-based medical education programmes across the UK, potentially expanding the model to other learners, students, and scenarios in the future.

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