New health system research supported by the Medical Council is awarded funding by the Health Research Board

• ‘Educating Healthcare Professionals for Climate Change Resilient and Sustainable Healthcare Systems’  will be led by Professor Deirdre Bennett of University College Cork

• The Health Research Board (HRB) has announced €20 million to support evidence-informed high-quality, team-based applied research

Thursday 18th January 2024: A Medical Council-supported research programme is among eight successful programme awards* to receive funding by the HRB.

Professor Deirdre Bennett of University College Cork is leading the programme, ‘Educating Healthcare Professionals for Climate Change Resilient and Sustainable Healthcare Systems.’ The programme has been awarded €2,475,908.

With humanity facing a triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity. Prof. Bennett’s research aims to prepare healthcare professionals to actively contribute to resolve the global planetary crisis. According to Prof Bennett, “the outcome will be a healthcare system that is not only more responsive to climate challenges, but a contributor to broader sustainability goals, benefiting patients and the planet alike.”

Speaking today, Dr Bernadette Rock, Head of Research & Regulatory Data Insights at the Medical Council said, “The Medical Council is delighted to bring its expertise and experience to this research by exploring how outputs might influence regulatory policy, and examining the best methods for integrating topics of climate change and sustainability into the professional development of doctors. 

“One of the outputs of the planned research will be a competency framework applicable to all healthcare professionals, and the role of the Council will involve exploring how this framework can be integrated into the education and training of doctors from undergraduate through to continuing professional development. 

“The scientific evidence is unequivocal that climate change has profound direct and indirect impacts on health and wellbeing, and the World Health Organisation has identified climate change as the greatest health threat of the 21^st century.  

“This research is reflective of the Medical Council’s commitment to equipping a new generation of medical practitioners with knowledge and skills in climate change and sustainability. It will be used to empower healthcare professionals to address the challenges posed by climate change, working towards a healthier and more sustainable future."

The Medical Council regulates medical doctors in Ireland. The Council's purpose is to protect the public by promoting and better ensuring high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training, and competence among doctors.