HEST®-UK: Accelerating adaptability on the frontline

Earlier this month, we returned to Edinburgh to deliver another successful Hostile Environment Surgical Training (HEST®-UK) course in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd).

Led by Professor David Nott and supported by our world-class faculty, our five-day cadaveric-based course equips surgeons with the critical decision-making strategies and hands-on skills required to perform surgery in the world’s most austere environments.

“What’s so valuable about this course is that most of the faculty have worked in austere settings for years. They’re not just teaching theory — they’ve lived it.”

Dr Peter Ternberg, course attendee

The course covers a broad range of emergency scenarios including airway management, abdominal and head trauma, obstetrics and gynaecology, plastic and orthopaedic trauma surgery. Whether it’s performing an emergency caesarean section or an urgent amputation, the course empowers surgeons to act decisively.

“I’ve never seen knowledge shared in such a clear and practical way – and every member of the team is here because they want to teach.”

Dr Dmytro Uskov, course attendee

We welcomed 28 surgeons from across the world, including USA, Canada, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, the Faroe Islands and the UK. A particularly strong cohort from Ukraine also joined – a powerful reminder of how vital our training is in active war zones.

What sets HEST®-UK apart is its adaptability; that it’s designed for surgeons of any specialty. It builds confidence and capability under extreme circumstances. A vascular surgeon may need to deliver a baby. A trauma doctor may need to perform a neurosurgical intervention. In the chaos of conflict, adaptability saves lives.