Healthcare Human Factors

Global Air Training (GAT) has been delivering Human Factors (HF) training in aviation since 1997 and is widely regarded as the pre-eminent training organisation for aviation HF instructors, having worked with many major airlines and organisations such as NASA and the European Space Agency. In 2001, we were selected by the NHS to deliver groundbreaking HF programme in surgical units, and since then, we have delivered Human Factors programmes in healthcare and safety-critical organisations worldwide, including more than 100 NHS Trusts. With over 28 years of experience, we have served 100+ healthcare organisations, translating aviation's proven Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles to healthcare contexts. We are ISO9001 accredited, ensuring exacting standards in quality management and delivery. Our team comprises certified HF experts, including aviation professionals experienced in healthcare applications, facilitators, and debriefing specialists.

Our approach emphasises interprofessional and multi-disciplinary training, focusing on improving team communication, advancing non-technical skills, embedding HF safety behaviours, and integrating system-wide safety practices to support patient safety. Our programmes directly support the NHS England Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model, shifting from individual blame to systems thinking and proactive safety improvement.

Our programmes have helped more than 100 NHS Trusts and other international healthcare organisations enhance their safety culture, build in-house capabilities and improve the design of healthcare systems.

• Proven track record in healthcare: We have partnered with over 100 NHS Trusts and international healthcare organisations, delivering HF education that enhances non-technical skills and team dynamics.

• Aviation-to-healthcare translation: Our programmes draw on aviation's CRM model, adapted to SEIPS and PSIRF, emphasising systems thinking and proactive learning.

• Interprofessional focus: Our sessions are designed for multi-disciplinary teams, including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals (AHPs), doctors, and support staff, ensuring inclusivity per HF SEIPS principles.

• Simulation expertise: Using validated tools like the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) matrix or equivalent HF frameworks tailored to healthcare.

• Compliance and accreditation: Our facilitators hold relevant qualifications (e.g., HF certifications, facilitation and debrief training) and adhere to NHS standards for patient safety education.

We offer courses in a range of formats to meet the individual needs of healthcare organisations, including online self-paced e-learning foundation courses, open training courses at our UK training centre, in-house bespoke courses for healthcare organisations, and instructor-led live online training via our learning management portal and web conferencing platform. Click the links below for more details on course programmes or contact us today to find out more about bespoke training within your organisation.

• Human Factors Foundation Course
• Human Factors Managers Course
• Human Factors Trainers Course