The Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) project is pleased to announce the onboarding of the NHS Grampian Innovation Hub as a new project partner, strengthening the consortium’s capability to explore innovative, low-carbon aviation technologies that support the future of healthcare delivery across Scotland’s rural and island communities.

The NHS Grampian Innovation Hub will play a pivotal role in shaping the project’s healthcare-focused use cases, providing clinical, operational, and innovation expertise to guide the development of sustainable aviation solutions. Their involvement will be to enhance the strategic use-case development and will provide essential input and validation for the NHS specific demonstrator activities.

SATE, led by The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), is a pioneering initiative that unites aviation, energy, research, government, and community partners to test, trial, and accelerate zero-emission aircraft technologies. The addition of the NHS Grampian Innovation Hub ensures that SATE’s work is informed by frontline healthcare insight, particularly important for remote regions where aviation underpins critical patient transport, diagnostic movement, urgent supplies, and inter-island service connectivity.

Jayne Gourlay, SATE Project Coordinator at HITRANS, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome the NHS Grampian Innovation Hub into the SATE project. Their forward-thinking approach and deep understanding of healthcare challenges in Scotland will significantly enhance our work, helping ensure that future aviation solutions deliver meaningful benefits for the communities that rely on them.”

Dr Andrew Keen, Clinical Director of Innovation at NHS Grampian, commented:

“We are pleased to be participating in this important work to help ensure that healthcare organisations in the North and beyond are strongly placed to introduce drones for emergency, urgent and routine healthcare delivery in coming years.”

By welcoming the NHS Grampian Innovation Hub into the consortium, the SATE project strengthens its ambition to position Scotland as a global leader in sustainable regional aviation while addressing real-world challenges faced by essential public services.