A major GP organisation is to cease investing in fossil fuel companies because of climate change’s adverse effects on people’s health and wellbeing.
The Royal College of GPs – a member of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change – said that its “modest” investment in fossil fuel companies was outweighed by the negative impact of climate change.
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the RCGP, said what is good for the planet is usually good for both patients’ health and the NHS as a whole.
The decision was taken amid concern of the impact of persistent heatwaves on NHS services. The long, hot summer is expected to resume following heavy rainfall at the weekend.
“I am delighted that the College has made the decision to disinvest from fossil fuel companies, which we know contributes to climate change,” she said.
“Climate change is a clear risk to the health and wellbeing of our patients – with recent research estimating 50 million predicted years of life lost across Great Britain between 2011 and 2154 if things don’t improve.
“We already face a seasonal crisis every winter that threatens to destabilise our national health service, but with our summers forecasted to become hotter and hotter, we risk the emergence of a second seasonal crisis, and the NHS will simply be unable to cope.
“Excessive exposure to heat and sun can cause numerous health conditions, such as dehydration and heat exhaustion, particularly for our most vulnerable patients – the elderly, frail, young children and patients with severe learning difficulties. Hot conditions can also worsen existing heart, kidney and lung conditions.”
Dr Steve Mowle, honorary treasurer for the Royal College of GPs, added: “We’re really pleased that this decision has been passed by the College’s Trustee Board. We felt that the benefit of our modest investment in fossil fuel companies was outweighed by the negative impact that climate change can have on patients’ health.”
Leave a Reply