RCGP set up a group to consider this in Sept 2019 and report back by Feb 2020. The report lists about 70 specific actions of varying priority magnitude and importance that can form the basis of a delivery plan covering
A The Royal College of GPs as an organisation
B Individual general practices and their communities
C The health system and society
The top priorities for action for the RCGP ASAP suggested are
1. A vision, a strategy and a delivery plan – RCGP leaders should prioritise the actions in the delivery plan and name an officer responsible for implementation
2. Inform and engage its staff, general practices, and the communities they serve – RCGP will need a GP member and an administrator to manage this project.
3. Audit the college’s carbon footprint and manage the successful delivery of the strategy – RCGP will need to report on its progress in its annual report.
The suggested actions for individual GP practice ( the B category of recommendations) are listed below.
Provide visible leadership by discussing the impact of the climate emergency at every event.
Ensure full press and publicity approach to sharing plans to respond to the climate emergency
Support GPs (and their staff) to learn to evaluate how each person’s https://footprint.wwf.org.uk or www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
and each practice’s activities www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator1.html or www.carbontrust.com/resources/FAQs/services/calculate-carbon-footprint/ cause environmental impacts
Ensure practices have appropriate resources to use with patients to share information about the implications of the climate emergency which are accurate and useful [simple messaging + link climate breakdown to health implications + promote sustainable healthcare (which may mean changing some patient’s treatments) + adaptable with local additional information] via Waiting room slides or videos, Leaflets, Patient Participation Group support materials
Support local GP leaders to suggest ways to develop projects collaboratively that address climate or sustainability issues
Support training for clinicians in use of Positive language (See Climate for Health “Lets talk Health and Climate”)
Work with local NHS commissioning and purchasing organisations to ensure all Protected Learning event programmes include climate/ planetary health and / or for all presentations to be expected to have a section considering the climate change aspects of the chosen topic.
Promote quality improvement projects that are done as Sustainable Quality Improvement. CSH have methodology that is free to use
Support GPs (and their staff) to learn to evaluate how each person’s https://footprint.wwf.org.uk or www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
and each practice’s activities www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator1.html or www.carbontrust.com/resources/FAQs/services/calculate-carbon-footprint/ cause environmental impacts
Ensure practices have appropriate resources to use with patients to share information about the implications of the climate emergency which are accurate and useful [simple messaging + link climate breakdown to health implications + promote sustainable healthcare (which may mean changing some patient’s treatments) + adaptable with local additional information] via Waiting room slides or videos, Leaflets, Patient Participation Group support materials
Support local GP leaders to suggest ways to develop projects collaboratively that address climate or sustainability issues
Support training for clinicians in use of Positive language (See Climate for Health “Lets talk Health and Climate”)
Work with local NHS commissioning and purchasing organisations to ensure all Protected Learning event programmes include climate/ planetary health and / or for all presentations to be expected to have a section considering the climate change aspects of the chosen topic.
Promote quality improvement projects that are done as Sustainable Quality Improvement. CSH have methodology that is free to use
Provide educational resources for GPs & staff on climate awareness and how to deliver sustainable healthcare.GP & staff need resources for continuing learning (CPD).
Collaborate with organisations like Sustainable Development Unit (SDU), Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH), carbon literacy project.
Develop an online case study series outlining sustainable practices in the specialty A set of case studies that demonstrate local, clinical sustainability projects. The free Green Impact for health toolkit achieves this see www.greenimpact.org.uk/giforhealth
Promote Sustainable Quality Improvement (SusQI). Sustainability can be addressed in the context of any QI project, and the different perspective that it brings can result in additional benefits to patient care. This approach is summarised in two articles (see other comments). CSH have materials that are free to use. :
Appoint GP member(s) to provide central support for a network of climate emergency champions (CEC)/planetary health at faculty level. Provide funding for a national network co-ordinator(s) to support work of faculty climate emergency champions. They would develop strategy, resources (including materials, elearning, QI etc) and coordinate the project efforts of GPs doing smaller projects around the country. Support for coordinator(s) could be provided by the CSH.
Develop a national network of Climate Emergency/Planetary health champions at faculty level. Develop a network of champions who can support local and regional sustainable healthcare transformation. Set up initial teleconference between confirmed and potential CECs to establish priorities, share resources and identify and training needs. (Priorities could include liaising with local practices/PCN etc on the GIFH toolkit and SusQI, raising awareness of Climate emergency within primary care, signposting interested parties to relevant resources, speaking to local GP training schemes/medical schools)
Prepare general practices for the consequences of climate change. There are a variety of threats from the effects of climate change including risk of flood (8% of GP surgeries are currently at risk of flooding, and travel to and from health care premises will be disrupted by floods), new/increased risk from infectious diseases, heat stress, poor air quality, mental health problems, and food security
Use influence with other organisations to help embed sustainable clinical practice in general practice. The RCGP should call upon the Care Quality Commission to include the environmental impact of health care delivery in its regulatory methodology. The RCGP should work with the GPC and NHSE to see how practices can be supported and rewarded to effectively incorporate sustainable clinical practice. The RCGP should also call upon NICE to include environmental impact of care when carrying out its work and reflect the importance of this in the guidance it produces.
Support and ensure there are educational resources for GP practices to become carbon zero. There are steps to low/zero carbon that need education/learning e.g.
• Acknowledge climate emergency and understanding risks of inaction. RCGP recognises net zero is an essential goal for the UK; that healthcare (specifically primary care) must reduce their carbon footprint and that a directory of education resources will be made available.
• Make a policy by agreeing responsibility and declaring desire to take action
• Create goal/plans including engaging in exploring low carbon models, changes to practice; recognising value of partner organisations and identifying accountability of organisation and staff. Developing a vision for zero carbon general practice informed by case studies of action already taking place across the country. Encourage sign up for GIFH
• Develop metrics including collecting data to identify carbon hotspots (can be done by external organisation)
• Benchmarks progress against peers
• Conduct independent verification of its data
• Demonstrate positive impact achieved
• External recognition of progress– e.g. through Green Impact for Health toolkit and carbon literacy training.
Also Provide funding for national (or series of regional) co-ordinator(s) to support/develop required educational resources (see also B2)
• Acknowledge climate emergency and understanding risks of inaction. RCGP recognises net zero is an essential goal for the UK; that healthcare (specifically primary care) must reduce their carbon footprint and that a directory of education resources will be made available.
• Make a policy by agreeing responsibility and declaring desire to take action
• Create goal/plans including engaging in exploring low carbon models, changes to practice; recognising value of partner organisations and identifying accountability of organisation and staff. Developing a vision for zero carbon general practice informed by case studies of action already taking place across the country. Encourage sign up for GIFH
• Develop metrics including collecting data to identify carbon hotspots (can be done by external organisation)
• Benchmarks progress against peers
• Conduct independent verification of its data
• Demonstrate positive impact achieved
• External recognition of progress– e.g. through Green Impact for Health toolkit and carbon literacy training.
Also Provide funding for national (or series of regional) co-ordinator(s) to support/develop required educational resources (see also B2)
