Florence Nightingale Foundation facilitates a number of Subject Expert Groups (SEGs) to create change on issues identified by our members, scholars, and alumni as most important to them as nurses and midwives working across a range of sectors and to better patient outcomes. The Chairs of our Sustainability SEG, Ben Davies and Charlotte McArdle, have issued the following statement in solidarity with nurses and midwives worldwide who are supporting communities through devastating climate-related disasters.
“As Chairs of the Florence Nightingale Foundation’s Sustainability Subject Expert Group (SEG), we stand in solidarity with nurses and midwives worldwide who are supporting communities through devastating climate-related disasters. From the wildfires in Los Angeles to severe flooding in Valencia, extreme weather across the UK, and catastrophic floods in Southeast Asia, nurses and midwives are demonstrating extraordinary resilience and dedication in increasingly challenging circumstances.
The escalating frequency and severity of these events clearly demonstrate the intrinsic link between climate change and public health. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more erratic, we see direct impacts on community health, including respiratory issues, heat-related illnesses, waterborne diseases, and mental health challenges.
We recognise the immense pressure these events place on our nursing and midwifery colleagues, who must adapt their practice while managing their own personal circumstances. Providing safe care under such conditions is an incredible challenge, adding to the emotional burden our colleagues are already facing in living and working through these devastating events. FNF remains committed to supporting nurses and midwives through education, resources, and advocacy as they navigate the growing challenges of delivering care in a changing climate. Together, we must continue working toward climate-resilient healthcare systems while supporting those on the frontlines of this global health emergency.”
Ben Davies and Charlotte McArdle
You can find out more about our Subject Expert Groups here.
