Adapting to Climate Change – challenges and opportunities for the NHS in the South West

Information, presentations and links from the 'Adapting to Climate Change, Challenges and Opportunities for the NHS in the South West' event held in Bristol on 23 June 2010. Click on the resources below for specific information.

The day was an excellent opportunity to hear from experts and feed into the discussion which will help shape how we respond to climate change challenges, including extreme weather events, public health issues, service impacts and societal change. Equally, it was an opportunity to identify how we can better work together and use these challenges to promote and provide a better, more sustainable healthcare system that benefits the entire community today and into the future. 

The day was chaired by Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health and speakers were:

• Helena Busby, Head of Statutory Framework Team, Adapting to Climate Change, Defra on 'The Climate Change Act (incl Adaptation Reporting Power) and what means for the NHS' 
• Chris West, Director, UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) on 'UKCP09 and Climate Projections for the South West'
• Dr Louise Newport, Scientific Policy Advisor and Adaptation Lead, Department of Health on 'Public Health Impacts of Climate Change'
• Philip Pitman and Directors, Arup on 'Impacts of Climate Change Impacts on the Built Environment'   
• Alex Webb, Project Manager, ClimateSW (on behalf The Environment Agency) on 'Leading by example and supporting others: The Environment Agency's approach to adaptation'
• Fiona Swan, NI 188 Project Co-ordinator, ClimateSW on 'Adaptation Responsibilities of Local Authorities; Key Learning and Potential Partnership'

Key feedback from the day can be found on the discussion feedback paper attached.