References
Transforming healthcare: the role of nurse research in supporting the NHS Net Zero Agenda
Abstract
The rising impacts of climate change, such as increased health inequalities and increase in climate-sensitive diseases, pose significant challenges to the NHS. Community nurses and nurse researchers are pivotal in driving solutions to meet the NHS Net Zero targets, while maintaining high-quality patient care. The nursing workforce represents a significant portion of healthcare professionals globally and is uniquely positioned to influence climate-sensitive care delivery and reduce carbon emissions. This article explores the role of nurse research in advancing sustainability within healthcare, focusing on strategies for embedding sustainability into clinical practice and nursing curricula.
Changes to the ecological environment because of human-induced carbon emissions have directly affected the population health, resulting in a rise in health inequalities and communicable and non-communicable diseases (World Health Organization, 2023; Marshall and Allen, 2023). This has added to the pressure faced by an already stretched NHS (McMichael et al, 2006; Hajat, 2017; Holgate, 2017; Watts et al, 2021).
NHS leaders recognise spiralling costs and the threat of climate change with the need to ensure that services are financially, socially and environmentally viable (NHS England, 2023). Furthermore, an independent investigation conducted by Lord Darzi sparked concerns about the state of NHS (Darzi, 2024).
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