University of Bayreuth leads project to promote climate resilience and sustainability in healthcare facilities

The effects of global environmental crises are leading to considerable pressure to transform the healthcare system under difficult conditions. These are characterised in particular by a shortage of skilled workers, rising energy prices and increasing financial pressure. In order to overcome these challenges, the new joint project "Pla-netary Health - Curriculum for Sustainable Healthcare Facilities" is developing a training programme for hospitals and care facilities. The training programme is structured in such a way that participants take individual modules and aims to integrate climate resilience and sustainability into all areas of healthcare.
The University of Bayreuth and the Institute of Medical Management and Health Sciences (IMG) are providing scientific support for the project. Other project partners are the German Hospital Institute, KLUG - Deutsche Allianz Klimawandel und Gesundheit e.V. and the North Rhine-Westphalia Hospital Association (KGNW). This project is financially supported by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU).

One focus of the IMG's work on this project is the academic recognition of participants' achievements. To this end, the IMG will draw up the planned curriculum and provide support from the selection of qualified teaching staff through to didactic implementation.
KGNW Managing Director Matthias Blum welcomes the project: "The goal of climate neutrality presents hospitals with major challenges. We are therefore delighted to have the support of the DBU and to be working with three strong partners."

As the successful implementation of sustainability and climate protection management in hospitals requires a commitment and joint action across all hierarchical levels and professional groups, the training programme is aimed at healthcare facilities as institutions. Alongside the approximately twelve-month training programme, the participating facilities are already starting to implement the climate protection measures they have learnt. This promotes a continuous dialogue about successes and potential for improvement during the project. A further aim of the project is to completely balance the greenhouse gas emissions of the participating facilities.

Interested healthcare facilities can now apply to be placed on a list of interested parties for participation in the training programme, which will begin in the second quarter of 2024. Please send an e-mail to seminar@dki.de.