Carbon Footprinting for Healthcare
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Course outline
Climate change poses an existential threat to us. The NHS has acknowledged its contribution to greenhouse gas emission and set a goal of achieving Net Zero by 2045. But how do we get there? Though we know the NHS’s carbon footprint overall, the carbon impact of service changes, quality improvement projects or procurement of new products, is not routinely measured. In order for the NHS to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045, carbon needs to become an additional currency alongside money, understood by all working in the health system.
This course is designed to help healthcare professionals, quality improvement leads, managers and healthcare students gain an understanding of what a carbon footprint is, what a life cycle analysis is, how it is measured and how it can be used in the efforts to reach net zero. We will also explore existing carbon footprinting studies in healthcare and what can be learned from them. We recommend participation in one of our sustainable healthcare courses before joining Carbon Footprinting for Healthcare, however, it is not a requirement.
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:
- Recognise the interconnectedness of health, healthcare and climate change.
- Understand what a carbon footprint is, why it is important to measure it, and how the two main carbon footprinting methodologies differ.
- Identify the steps in estimating a carbon footprint of a quality improvement project or clinical pathway.
- Find and use carbon conversion factors.
- Recognise good practice in carbon footprinting studies in healthcare.
- Practice carbon footprinting on a small/simple quality improvement project
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 £210
If you have any questions at all or require any more information, please contact our dedicated education team.