Pre-hospital emergency medicine has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated field, particularly within air ambulance and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). Yet the landscape is changing, and conversations around representation, opportunity, and workplace culture are becoming increasingly important.
In this webinar, Clare Fitchett, a critical care paramedic and trainee advanced clinical practitioner in emergency medicine, explores the evolving role of women in pre-hospital emergency medicine and the ongoing efforts to improve representation and inclusion across the profession.
Drawing on her experience in the military, expedition medicine, and air ambulance services, Clare examines the historical context of women working in high-acuity pre-hospital roles and how this has influenced current workforce demographics. She discusses barriers that may discourage women from applying for roles in HEMS and critical care services, including perceptions of workplace culture, access to training opportunities, and structural challenges around career progression.
The session also highlights examples of positive change currently taking place within UK air ambulance services, including mentorship initiatives, flexible working practices, and efforts to create more inclusive environments for clinicians.
Through open discussion and real-world insights, Clare encourages healthcare professionals to reflect on how teams, institutions, and individuals can support greater diversity within pre-hospital emergency medicine.
Topics discussed include:
• The historical context of women in pre-hospital emergency medicine
• Current workforce trends in HEMS and air ambulance services
• Barriers affecting recruitment and progression for women in the field
• The importance of mentorship, role models, and inclusive workplace culture
• Practical steps organisations can take to support greater representation
By examining both the challenges and the progress being made, this webinar provides valuable perspective on how the pre-hospital community can continue to build stronger, more diverse teams.