Developing climate change adaptation plans for the health sector at subnational levels : the case of the NHS GG&C

Abstract

Climate change impacts represent threats to the population worldwide, and the health sector, responsible for taking care of their life and health, will also be impacted. While the consequences of these impacts are imminent, little or nothing has been done by the health sector at national and sub-national levels worldwide to be prepared and respond to them. Therefore, health adaptation planning to climate change is crucial to building climate-resilient health systems. This research proposes an approach to developing a Health Adaptation Plan at a sub-national level by analysing several guidelines and tools provided by the WHO and other organisations and existing Health Adaptation Plans at national and subnational levels. The findings of this analysis included four elements and sixteen steps for developing Health Adaptation plans. Later the steps of the first element, "Lay the groundwork and address gaps", are applied in the case of the NHS GG&C by analysing documents related to adaptation to climate change in the Glasgow City Region, Scotland and the UK and performing eight interviews with the staff of NHS GG&C, NHS Lanarkshire and Sustainability Charity Sniffer. This study founds that the NHS GG&C has enough tools to start developing a health adaptation plan; however, there is a need to take more action regarding adaptation. This research also concludes that following these first steps is essential to guarantee a good start and an uninterrupted health adaptation planning process by gathering information related to adaptation, engaging stakeholders from the beginning, and addressing the gaps in undertaking climate change adaptation planning. Further, it can be stated that considering the structural and quality aspects is vital to developing a successful Health Adaptation Plan. Other organisations at subnational levels starting developing their Climate Change Health Adaptation Plan might find this research's findings, analysis and approach helpful.