The climate emergency is a health emergency. Primary care accounts for approximately 23% of NHS England’s emissions footprint; this hub contains courses to help GPs who want to advocate for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Most primary care emissions are associated with prescribing; the first course ‘Introduction to sustainable healthcare’ gives an overview of the links between planetary health and our patients’ health and introduces “Delivering a net zero National Health Service”, the report which sets emissions targets for the NHS. It discusses how we can promote initiatives such as active travel and social prescribing, ways to reduce overprescribing and overdiagnosis, and the contributions that diet, exercise and patient empowerment can make to good clinical care and reduction of emissions.
Inhalers make up a large percentage of clinical emissions and the second course, ‘High quality and low carbon respiratory care’ discusses changes that we can make. Moving from metered dose inhalers (MDIs) to dry powder inhalers (DPIs) reduces emissions and often benefits patients, who may find DPIs easier to use, improving adherence. For patients who cannot move from an MDI, changing the brand or dose per puff can also reduce greenhouse gases from their inhaler. The importance of good asthma control is also discussed, with reference to the National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD). References such as Greener Practice can help practices to improve asthma care whilst reducing emissions and meeting the requirements of the Investment and Impact Fund (IIF).
The final eLearning course, ‘Understanding non-clinical carbon and general practice’ considers the four key areas in which change can be made – energy, travel, business services and medical and office goods and equipment. Understanding the energy hierarchy and the circular economy, reducing waste and making environmentally responsible choices may also improve the health of primary care staff and save money for the practice. The NHS Net Zero Supplier Road Map is explained, as is how to draw up a practice green action plan and make better procurement choices.
The hub also links to the population and planetary health topic guide in the RCGP curriculum, and has a webinar presented by the RCGP’s faculty climate and sustainability group, which shares practical ideas that could help GPs to get started in sustainable healthcare.