The Future of Health and Social Care Project

Nurses and midwives see the health-related impacts of climate change every day, yet there is limited access to sustainable healthcare education. That’s why The Burdett Trust for Nursing has supported the Future of Health and Social Care Project.

The courses are fully funded, meaning they are free for registered nurses and midwives. The courses provide essential knowledge and skills around sustainable healthcare and support the development of practical skills in Sustainable Quality Improvement (SusQI).

The three-tiered education programme is designed to support nurses and midwives across all career stages to understand, apply and lead environmentally sustainable healthcare. Delivered by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, the courses combine accessible online learning with interactive sessions, enabling participants to build confidence, connect with peers and develop practical approaches to improving care in the context of climate change and health inequalities.

Tier 1: Sustainable Innovation for Nurses and Midwives

This foundational course is ideal for nurses and midwives who want to better understand how sustainability relates to their everyday practice. It explores the links between climate change, public health and health inequalities, providing a clear and engaging introduction to climate literacy in healthcare. Through 8 hours of flexible online learning and a large live webinar, participants are supported to build awareness of sustainable healthcare approaches and reflect on how these apply within their own roles. The focus is on learning the skills and tools to implement sustainable healthcare in daily nursing and midwifery practice. The course also offers the opportunity to connect with a wide network of peers from across health and care, creating a shared space for learning and discussion, as well as optional follow up sessions for ongoing project support.

Tier 2: Sustainability Analysis and Quality Improvement in Nursing and Midwifery

Tier 2 is aimed at nurses and midwives who already have the foundational knowledge taught in Tier 1, and know which parts of their service they would like to improve. It is especially useful for nurses and midwives working in specialist, advanced or service lead roles who are looking to deepen their knowledge and skills. This course introduces the Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI) framework, carbon footprinting, and approaches to understanding the carbon impact of healthcare. Participants will explore how to assess care through environmental, social and health perspectives, and how to embed sustainability into quality improvement work. Delivered virtually, the course includes online learning, an interactive workshop and optional follow-up sessions to consolidate learning. This tier is particularly suited to those seeking to influence practice within teams or services and to address health inequalities through a sustainability lens.

Tier 3: Sustainable Innovation Leadership for Senior Nurses and Midwives

Designed for senior leaders working at board level or in equivalent strategic roles, Tier 3 focuses on embedding sustainability within organisational leadership and decision-making. The programme supports participants to develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead change at scale, including understanding the wider determinants of health, climate risks and opportunities for health systems. Through a combination of online learning, a facilitated workshop and follow-up support, participants strengthen their ability to influence policy, shape strategy and champion equitable, sustainable models of care.

Together, these three courses provide a clear and supportive learning pathway from theory to practice, enabling participants to engage with sustainable healthcare at a level that reflects their role and experience, while contributing to a more resilient and equitable health and care system.

To find out more and book your place, visit the project page:

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