Introduction to Sustainable Healthcare   

Course Outline 

This course offers an overview of the complex relationship between human health and the climate and ecological crises. We outline the ways in which the health system is both vulnerable to and contributing to climate change and ecological degradation, then explore (using real world case studies) what a sustainable healthcare system could look like and what the wider benefits might be.

The course also highlights the leadership role healthcare staff can play in providing healthcare for all within planetary boundaries. As healthcare professionals we cannot stand on the sidelines; we have a duty of care to our patients, communities, and the natural world which is our life support system. There are many important ways to make a difference and this course is a starting point.         

Learning Objectives

 By the end of the course you will be able to:

1.  Describe the risks the global environmental crisis presents to human health and healthcare systems.
2.  Describe the contribution of the health sector to the global environmental crisis. 
3.  Explain how sustainability can help to address existing challenges in the healthcare system.
4.  Identify carbon hotspots and understand the basic principles of carbon footprinting.
5.  Apply the principles of sustainability to healthcare services.
6.  Plan a sustainability project in your workplace.

Course Structure 

Part I. Self-study online - Interactive online materials covering all course content, illustrated with case studies, presented in bite-sized modules.  The course is flexible to your interests and available time; a condensed version can be completed in under 2 hours using the module summary pages,  whilst the full course contains 8 hours of more in depth study. A discussion forum allows you to reflect on your learning and share thoughts and ideas with fellow learners.  A short video on the home page outlines how to navigate the learning platform and obtain your certificate of completion. The learning materials are available to you from the point of booking and for 6 months after your workshop date. You can see a table of contents for the self study materials here. 

"It was informative and easy to understand and follow. Having everything laid out so clearly -- a mixture of text. diagrams, graphs, videos helped bring it to life and keep concentration. It really helped me consolidate my knowledge and feel prepared for the workshop". 

"I liked that the discussions were grounded in projects and tying into areas we can immediately effect and apply into our work".

Part 2. Live workshop online - The 4 hour virtual workshop consolidates your understanding of the course materials and then focuses on helping you develop ideas for a sustainability project in your setting;  translating your learning into action through small group discussions with CSH experts and colleagues from around the world using the range of resources and tools. A separate certificate of completion is provided for the workshop.

"I liked the opportunity to network with other trainees. Definitely the examples were the most inspiring and felt practical too".

Part 3. Mentoring -  After completing the self-study materials and online workshop you are invited to attend our online Sustainable Healthcare Cafés. The 1 hour cafes occur regularly throughout the year and  offer ongoing support for you to put your learning in to practice. They are a friendly, informal setting in which to:

• Get support for sustainability projects from peers and CSH staff.
• Make connections with others bringing sustainability projects into their workplace.

You are welcome to continue attending the cafes as many times as you wish. Upcoming dates are available here and will also be emailed out to you with your certificate of completion after the workshop.

"Inspirational and reassuring to hear everyone else’s actions and sense of urgency. On a practical level, I feel more knowledgeable on where to aim my work for greater impact and have been directed towards lots of useful information sources and initiatives" 

What Future Do We Choose?

Human health is inextricably linked to the health of the earth’s natural systems, which create the air we breathe, the food we can grow, the proliferation of diseases and much more. This complex set of relationships is sometimes referred to as ‘planetary health’ and is increasingly recognized as a critical perspective in health improvement and protection.  Since 1980 global greenhouse gas emissions have doubled, and human activity has removed about half the wild birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates and insects on our planet. The health implications of this are clear, and terrifying, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic starkly demonstrates this. Individuals, organizations, and movements across the world have called a climate emergency to respond.  There is a huge amount to do and we are all needed. There are many important ways to make a difference and this course is a starting point for this exploration.

To kick off, we invite you to enjoy this evocative 2 minute video poem What Future Do We Choose?