Leading Sustainability in Health and Social Care

Cost	Duration	Start Date	Qualification	Credits	Delivery
From £1,100 + VAT	4 months	September 2023	Levels 6 and 7	20	Fully online, some live lessons

Climate change, along with the collapse of biodiversity, are the biggest global health threats of today. Health and care services contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions (GHE), a major driver for climate change globally.

Nurses have a key role in reducing GHE. This programme will support participants to focus their practice as we adapt to climate impacts and communicate the need for an accelerated national and global response.

This blended learning programme is open to anyone regardless of RCN membership status.

The programme has been developed to support anyone in the role of clinical leader in every care setting. It may be of specific interest to:

• specialist procurement nurses
• care home/ward/dept managers
• nurses supporting sustainability in their role
• sustainability link champions/nurses
• GP practice nurses, community, and public health nurses
• nurses working in acute NHS care – elective or emergency care.

This programme has been designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills with which to plan, lead and deliver healthcare, which is akin to the principles of sustainability, forging the sector’s contribution to combating climate change and the promotion of sustainability.

• lead arguments for patient care based on the science of climate change
• recognise the impact of products and consumables from a product life cycle perspective
• reform procurement to help achieve sustainability in healthcare.

Formal programme assessment

• 3000-word essay (100% of the marks)

Supplementary assessment to support final essay

Participants are required to commit a total of 200 hours of study time for the entire programme. This includes work-based learning activities, online learning, live lectures, seminars and workshops, additional reading, and 6 hours of one-to-one coaching.

After completion of the programme participants will receive an RCN certificate. We have an agreement with Coventry University to provide 20 credits for these programmes at either level 6 (Bachelors) or level 7 (Masters). The programme would equal to 20 credits.

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
Cohort 2	13 September 2023	27 September 2023	11 October  2023	25 October 2023	15 November 2023	29 November 2023

With academic credits: £1,450 + VAT
Without academic credits: £1,100 + VAT

VAT registered Charities who pay for employees to undertake this programme will be able to claim back the VAT.

Fees must be paid in full in advance of the course start date. 

This podcast recognises the serious health effects of air pollution which are exacerbated by rising global temperatures and is a mandatory resource for students to view on this programme.

Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah was born happy and healthy but suffered a fatal asthma attack due to living next to a major road. Ella is the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate.

Listen to our podcast of a mother’s lived experience.

Find out more about the Ella Roberta Foundation.

FAQs

How much will it cost to take this programme?

With academic credits: £1,450 + VAT.
Without academic credits: £1,100 + VAT.

Can my organisation fund the programme on my behalf?

Yes, your organisation can fund the programme on your behalf.

Once I have expressed my interest, how many weeks do I have to complete the payment and enrolment process?

Enrolment and payment is due before the programme start date.

What is the duration of the programme?

The programme will be held on six half days over 13 weeks.

How much study time is involved?

Participants are required to commit a total of 200 hours of study time for the entire programme. This includes work-based learning activities, online learning, live lectures, seminars and workshops, additional reading, and six hours of one-to-one coaching.

Is coaching offered as part of this programme?

As part of the programme one-to-one coaching is offered to support learning and assignment preparation. Guidance in study skills and assignment planning is also available from the programme academics and the RCN librarians.

Is all the learning online?

Yes, the programme is delivered 100% online, with some live online sessions and self-directed learning.

What time do the live online lessons run?

9:30am – 1:00pm (Please note the first session will start at 9:15am to allow for introductions).

What is the breakdown of the learning?

The make-up of the learning will be 10% live digital teaching; 40% self directed work based learning and 50% online directed study.

How many CPD hours is this programme worth?

Up to 30 hours of of participatory learning and additional individual learning hours

Will I be issued a certification on completion of the programme?

Yes, a certificate will be issues on completion of the programme. Please display proudly!

What are my career prospects on completing the programme?

Completing the programme will place you at the forefront of clinical leadership/management. The programme will equip participants to meet the next major challenge to clinical leadership in health care. Governments will soon be requiring member organisations of the health care sector to assemble plans on how they can forge procurement and practice processes which promote sustainability. Leaders in sustainability in health care will be much sought after professionals in this new world.

How does the learning add value to my team?

The learning content will equip you and your team to engage with the sustainability agenda

Do I need to buy any specific equipment to undertake this programme?

A laptop or tablet will be required. Please note that a mobile phone will not be suitable.

Is this course suitable for newly registered nurses?

Yes, this course is suitable for newly qualified nurses

Do I need to be in a leadership role already to take the course?

No, you do not need to be in a leadership course to take the course. This course will prepare you for a leadership role.  

Where can I find out more?

Please visit our web page and complete the expression of interest form, or send your queries to sustainability@rcn.org.uk

What are the key benefits for our team and wider organisation?

The impending climate change crisis requires each organisation and team within the health care sector to change their procurement processes, replacing practices that damage the environment with one which promote sustainability. The skills and knowledge imparted to learners on this programme will help make their teams and organisations fit for the future.

Why is 'sustainability' an important topic for my team to be aware of?

The climate change crisis is the next health crisis. health care providers and staff will need to be equipped with the knowledge of the science of climate change and the skills to reform procurement in order to play their part in addressing this. The World Health Organisation have set out seventeen sustainability development goals to which they expect member nations to aspire in order to build a ecologically prosperous world. The Sustainability Programme's learning outcomes are mapped to the WHO sustainainability goals demonstrating their relevance to the learnng content and reinforcing how the health care sector can play its part in meeting them.

Will the member of staff need to take study leave from work?

Yes, staff will need to be supported to attend all six half days with study time to complete the programme. The programme will include 200 hours of face-to-face and directed study time