Climate change adaptation
Climate change makes existing health risks worse and introduces new challenge. These range from the spread of infectious diseases to the intensification of weather events that impact the health of the population, as well as healthcare assets and services.
NHS Scotland plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the life and health of communities by developing climate-resilient health systems capable of responding to these evolving threats. The changing climate is increasing risks for health and health services. More information on these risks in the UK can be found in the UK Climate Change Committee’s Health and Social Care.
You can find the full briefing by clicking on this link. https://www.ukclimaterisk.org/publications/type/briefings/
What are the main risks from climate change that the Health Board has identified through its Climate Change Risk Assessment?
Using the Climate Change Risk Assessment Adaptation Planning Tool developed with support from NHS Scotland Assure, 5 main risks were noted. These are:
- Access to the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital - Patient and staff access may be difficult in heavy downpours.
- Access to the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital - Site access may be restricted during combined climatic weather events.
- Patient capacity within Golden Jubilee University National Hospital - Delayed patient discharge due to increased local service demand.
- Staff wellbeing - Staff wellbeing may be negatively impacted during warm temperatures
- Electronic equipment and room temperature monitoring systems - Electronic equipment may overheat as room temperatures increase.
Does the Health Board have a plan to reduce those risks?
Yes. An adaptation plan is in place which was developed at the same time as the Climate Change Risk Assessment.
What main actions has the health board taken to reduce those risks since the last report?
The action plan has identified key recommendations and relevant stakeholders, such as:
- Consult with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to check the accuracy of local maps, and consider using their flood maps / alerts / warnings. This may come at a cost, but will help plans to be proactively adjusted as required, for example rerouting transport.
- Consider liaising with Local Authorities to discuss whether they have flood plans and diversions in place for roads that are likely to flood.
- Develop and formalise communication plan and other alerts for weather and Scottish government and local authority.
- Formal community response to be developed.
- Consider developing a Summer/Hot Weather Plan, similar to the Winter Plan, to ensure a consistent approach to addressing the impacts of high or sustained summer heat. This should explore the local and historical impacts of previous heatwaves. Most notably, the knock-on impacts of increased service demand on GP surgeries and community health centres during periods of high heat on Golden Jubilee’s capacity to discharge patients should be assessed.
The risks and actions are being addressed with a timeline target extended to March 2026.
What main actions are going to be carried out to reduce those risks in future years? Once actions within the current plan are addressed by March 2026, we will review and update the Climate Change Risk Assessment with up to date information to establish future actions.
What are we doing to be prepared for the impacts of climate and increase the resilience of our healthcare assets and services?
Whole system planning
Following submission of the combined technical and Business Continuity Plan (BCP) report to Scottish Government, funding was confirmed for high voltage works.
The funding totalled £738,000 for the first phase these works to be undertaken on site.
Decarbonisation funding
NHS Golden Jubilee secured £895,200 from Scottish Government in 2024/2025 to reduce our carbon emissions. Several projects were successfully delivered which included LED lighting, Electronically Commutated (EC) fans and variable speed drive replacement reducing our annual carbon emissions by circa 270 tCO2e.
Further applications are being developed for 2025/2026 to secure additional funding.
Development of an Environmental Management System
There are policy, strategy and delivery requirements on NHS Boards to implement Environmental Management Systems to the standard of ISO14001 or equivalent.
NHS Golden Jubilee has started the implementation phase and will continue to develop the system to ensure we not only meet requirements, but ensure compliance and reduce our impact on the environment.
An environmental policy was drafted in 2024/2025 and is going through governance. This policy will support the NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026 which we align to.
Staff continue to attend training sessions arranged through NHS Scotland Assure to help develop the system further.
