Centre of Aviation Medicine

The mission of RAF CAM is to provide specialist medical and scientific support, and training, to the Royal Air Force in the fields of Aviation, Occupational and Environmental Medicine; and to provide the most effective medical support to all aspects of Air Operations in peace and war.

Based at RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire RAF CAM provides the following outputs:

• Aviation Medicine Training for Medical Officers. RAF CAM runs courses for doctors who are new to the RAF and for those with many years of experience. The courses vary in length and cover all aspects of aviation medicine.
• Aviation Medicine Training for Aircrew. RAF CAM runs aviation medicine courses for aircrew on all aircraft types. Practical training includes decompression chamber work with experience of rapid decompression and hypoxia; spatial disorientation using special simulators; and Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) and night ops familiarisation.
• Training for Specialist Personnel. RAF CAM also provides training in Aviation Medicine for Medical Administration and Princess Mary’s RAF Nursing Service personnel, Unit Aircrew Training Teams and Army Air Despatch personnel.
• Support to Commands. CAM provides in -depth expertise in Aviation Medicine for advice in the field of aircrew personal equipment and life support systems. Clinical Support for Aircrew. Clinical investigations of aircrew are carried out as tasked by the Director General Medical Services (RAF) and include studies into high altitude decompression and investigations of unconsciousness, motion sickness and vestibular disorders in flight.
• Occupational and Public Health Medicine. The main services provided in the area of Occupational and Public Health Medicine includes: Occupational Hygiene Surveys, Noise and Vibration Surveys, public health medicine, occupational medicine, servicing of medical and dental equipment, Laboratory analytical services.
• Aviation Pathology. The Aviation Pathology Wing is responsible for the medical aspects of the investigation into UK military and civilian fatal aviation accidents.
• RAF Medical Boards. The RAF Medical Board is responsible for approving and effecting both temporary and permanent changes to all RAF patients medical employment standards.