Sustainable primary care

Course outline 

This course was developed in collaboration with the Royal College of General practitioners and the Greener Practice network and is specifically tailored to health and social care staff working in primary care. It helps you understand why sustainability matters, offering an overview of the relationship between health, the health sector and the climate and ecological crises, describing the ways in which the health system itself is both vulnerable to and contributing to the environmental crisis. We then explore (using real world case studies) how we can deliver primary care sustainably, adapt to climate change and what the wider benefits might be. The course offers tips for how to ‘green’ your practice (using real world case studies), and an opportunity to plan a sustainability improvement project within your area of work.

We also consider the leadership role healthcare staff (at any level) 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. 

I am a health professional, why should I book this course?

This course is specifically designed to support healthcare professionals like you to stay up to date with the latest evidence-based practices and enhance your skills and knowledge. By booking this course, you’ll earn valuable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, ensuring you meet your professional development requirements while improving your expertise. It’s a great opportunity to expand your knowledge, stay ahead in your field, and enhance the quality of care you provide to your patients.

Learning objectives

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

• Describe the risks the global environmental crisis presents to human health and healthcare systems.
• Describe the contribution of the health sector, and primary care in particular, to the global environmental crisis. 
• Identify carbon hotspots and understand the basic principles of carbon footprinting and sustainability in quality improvement.
• Explain how to deliver healthcare sustainably and how this could help to address existing challenges in the healthcare system.
• Apply the principles of sustainability to planning a sustainability project in your workplace. 

Course structure 

This course is delivered in three parts:

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; the full course contains around 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. 

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.

Part 3. Mentoring 

After completing the workshop you are invited to attend our online Sustainable Healthcare Cafés, a friendly, informal setting in which to:

• Reconnect with peers passionate about sustainability
• Get ongoing support for sustainability projects from peers and CSH staff.

The 1 hour cafes occur regularly throughout the year. You are welcome to attend the cafes as many times as you wish. Upcoming dates will be emailed to you after the workshop. You can also receive ongoing peer support by joining one of our Networks.

How much does this course cost?

Prices start from £132

If you have any questions at all or require any more information, please contact our dedicated education team.

Email us