Climate change is a health emergency. The World Health Organisation estimates that globally, more than 13 million deaths each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. Air pollution contributes to one in 20 deaths in the UK every year and disproportionately affects deprived communities and the most vulnerable. Health and social care contribute around 4% of England’s total carbon footprint. The NHS has a vital role in supporting action to reduce activities that may have a negative impact on the environment.
Together with NHS England, on 11 October the RCN is hosting the first online five nations nursing and midwifery sustainability conference. It will focus on raising awareness of sustainability and discussing opportunities to reduce the impact of care provision on carbon emissions in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The nursing and midwifery professions have a key role and contribution to this global challenge and this conference represents an exclusive opportunity to come together to share learning and reflect on action that affects how we provide care.
It’s a unique opportunity for nursing staff across the UK and Ireland to learn about the latest science on the impact of sustainability and how health and care delivery can contribute to tackling climate change, and to gain insight into the latest global nursing and midwifery developments in sustainability.
On the day, there will also be a Dragon’s Den style event, where judges will review nursing and midwifery innovation ideas for reducing carbon emissions. We will be asking delegates for their ideas ahead of time, so keep an eye on the event page for more information about the criteria, prizes and deadline.
Rose Gallagher MBE, Nursing Sustainability Lead at the RCN, said: “This event highlights what needs to change in providing health care with the ongoing pressure of trying to adapt to a more sustainable and eco-friendly health care provision, not just in the UK, but globally.
“Nursing staff and midwives can be instrumental in being catalysts for environmental change by widening their knowledge on sustainability.
“This event aims to explore the many innovations taking place in modern health care and we know that in caring for others, nursing staff and midwives are also positively involved in caring for our planet too.”
Professor Charlotte McArdle, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England Patient Safety and Improvement and nursing lead for sustainability at NHS England, said: “Nursing, midwifery and care staff see the impacts of climate change and air pollution first hand on our patients and are well placed to lead transformational change to translate the NHS’s net zero ambitions into relevant clinical practice.
“Changes are already being made to make our services greener and improve the quality of the care we provide today, and for future generations. This conference offers a brilliant opportunity to share learning, explore innovation and discuss further opportunities for our professions to take action on this important issue while continuing to improve care.”
Book your place on the Sustainability in Nursing Conference now. The conference is free to attend and open to any individual working as part of a nursing or midwifery team in all care settings.
