Sustaining a Healthy South West

Policy and Action Plan•The South West Public Health Training Programme (SWPH) recognises its regional responsibility towards a healthier low-carbon future. SWPH has drafted the first UK training programme sustainability policy and accompanying action plan.

Guiding Principles• Committed to the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy• Sustainable programme planning and policy development• Collaborate with partner organisations and academic institutions on innovative projects• Promote relationship between the natural and built environments and human health

Key Actions• Video-linked trainings and teleconferences• Virtual journal club• Sustainable catering and procurement• Reduced single user car travel• Routine carbon audits• Annual policy review and trainee tutorials

A clear focused message ...• Public Health Training Programmes are an important vehicle through which to promote sustainable development at local, regional and national levels.•Sustainable development is fundamental to ensuring a healthy population, social and economic progress, and preservation of our natural resources for generations to come. • Sustainable development offers huge synergies with health improvement, health inequalities, emergency planning, communicable diseases and obesity. For example, the availability of healthier travel options can promote physical activity and lower emissions to simultaneously tackle obesity and poor air quality. • Without sustainable development, the impact of climate change on global health will worsen. Within the UK the implications may include excess summer deaths, disease outbreaks, increased migration and severe weather events such as flooding (FPH, 2009).

)

Pleasing to the eye

Following the images counter clockwise from the top right corner, the

viewer will see the major causes of climate change and the impact upon our planet and human population. As the images progress up the right side, we see the simple everyday ways that

public health training programmes across the country can reduce their carbon usage and promote healthier

lifestyles!

•SWPH is committed to embedding sustainable development in all training activities across the region.•Our policy provides a framework to which all public health trainees, supervisors and programme employees should adhere.•We will strive to incorporate sustainability measures into all aspects of our NHS and academic work.•We will engage with partner organisations to promote the relationship between the natural and built environments and human health.•We will strive to embody approaches to public health that enhance community well-being, including physical and mental health, prosperity, social development and preservation of natural resources. •We encourage others towards sustainable development to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

South West Public Health recognizes its responsibility and potential to minimize the

effects of climate change

All Public Health competencies

Sustainable development can only be achieved through collaborative, multi-agency efforts across governments,

public health agencies, academic institutions and local communities. As such, there are endless opportunities

in all competency areas for public health professionals to become

involved in promoting, developing, implementing and evaluating

sustainability projects.