Sustainability in Quality Improvement

Course Outline

Sustainability has been recognised by the Royal College of Physicians as a domain of quality in healthcare, extending the responsibility of health services to patients not just of today, but of the future. As a domain of quality, it follows that sustainability should be explicitly addressed as part of ‘quality improvement’ activities. But how?

This intensive course introduces health professionals and educators to the concept of ‘sustainable value’ and the ‘SusQI’ framework for integrating sustainability into quality improvement. Learning from real examples, participants explore in depth how the framework can be applied in practice to develop preventative, holistic, lean, low carbon, high quality care. 

We understand that networking is a key reason for delegates to attend courses and we have designed the course to maximise opportunities to interact with and meet others. 

Learning objectives

By the end of this course you will be able to implement a 'triple bottom line' quality improvement project. This includes:

• Defining a problem and setting sustainability goals.
• Studying the system and assessing resource use locally.
• Applying the principles of sustainable clinical practice.
• Measuring ‘sustainable value’ using a multi-dimensional approach of environmental, social, financial and patient outcomes at the micro and population-level. 

Course Structure 

This course is delivered in three parts:

1. Self-study online
2. Live workshop online
3. Follow-up interactive masterclass 1-2 months after the workshop

For more detail read below.

Part I. Self-study online: 4-6-hours of multimedia, interactive self-study online materials covering all course content, illustrated with case studies, presented in bite-sized modules. 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."

"The examples were inspiring and felt practical too."

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.

"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.” 

Part 3. Work in Progress session: To support you after the initiation of your project we offer the opportunity to meet again as a group for a follow-up interactive masterclass 1-2 months after the Workshop. In a two-hour session you will hear how others have progressed, and can present what you've done so far, answer questions and take feedback from participants and expert facilitators. You can also receive ongoing peer support by joining one of our Networks.

“To know you'll have a hub with centralised resources and support will make a huge difference.”

"I liked the opportunity to network with other trainees.”

What Future Do We Choose? 

In the last half century global greenhouse gas emissions have doubled, and human activity has removed about 3/4 the wild birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates and insects on our planet. The health implications of this are deeply worrying. Human health is inextricably linked to the health of the earth’s natural systems, which provide the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we can grow, regulate the proliferation of infectious 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. Individuals, organizations, and movements across the world have called a climate emergency to respond. There is a huge amount to do, which can feel overwhelming, but this course will help you identify how you can play your part. To kick off, we invite you to enjoy this evocative 2 minute video poem What Future Do We Choose?

About the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare is a registered charity working since 2008 to help the health sector reduce its carbon footprint and wider environmental impact. It is now one of the world's foremost institutions for sustainable healthcare research and practice. The team draws on knowledge and experience from clinical practice, public health, environmental consultancy, research and public policy to develop the methods and metrics to implement and measure sustainable healthcare.

© 2025 Centre for Sustainable Healthcare