Adaptation – a look at the national picture

Building our resilience is crucial to ensure we can deliver healthcare services without disruption. We take a look at what’s been happening nationally and locally around adaptation. 

Climate change and extreme weather events like heavy rain, flooding and heatwaves are already impacting Scotland – our health, buildings, services, transport, water resources and energy demands.  

Projected trends for climate change in Scotland mean they’ll continue to have an impact, regardless of what we do to reduce emissions (climate mitigation). 

So adapting to climate change and increasing our resilience is vital. 

We need to increase the resilience of our estate to ensure we can deliver health and care services without disruption. 

Adaptation is being looked at across Scotland and NHSScotland alike.  

What’s happening nationally? 

First Minister John Swinney launched the third Scottish National Adaptation Plan (known as SNAP3) at the end of September.  

SNAP3 sets out what action will be taken to build resilience in Scotland to the impacts of climate change over the next five years, across public services, communities, natural environment and Scotland’s economy.   

Partnership and community approaches will be critical to this work, as is the importance of restoring nature. For more information and resources, visit the Adaptation Scotland website. 

What about within NHSScotland? 

Climate change significantly impacts the health system – so action is needed to increase the resilience of our healthcare assets and services.  

Health boards taking action – Climate Change Risk Assessments and Adaptation Plans 

NHS boards have carried out climate change risks assessments (CCRAs) to identify the risks that could impact their healthcare assets and services. They’ve also developed high-level adaptation plans which outline measures to address the risks that have been identified.  

These are important steps for NHSScotland in the adaptation process – they will help to increase resilience and contribute to broader environmental sustainability. A national report is due to be published soon.  

NHSScotland Assure has also commissioned over 300 high-level flood risk assessments nationally. This has helped to identify some of our key at-risk sites and has provided suggested next steps for boards.   

Health impact assessment scoping exercise of SNAP3 (summary) 

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has carried out and published a health impact assessment on SNAP3. The assessment was carried out on the draft SNAP3, during the consultation period and involved holding participatory workshops for four out of the five SNAP3 outcomes (which are linked to domestic rather than international climate policy).  

For each of the four outcomes, it identified potential impacts on health and health inequalities and made initial recommendations to enhance or improve policy. 

PHS Adverse Weather and Health Plan 

PHS has also published a three-year Adverse Weather and Health Plan 2024-2027 setting out how they will work in partnership with Scottish Government and other key stakeholders to protect the health of the population from weather-related harm. 

PHS and key partners have established an Adverse Weather Plan Steering Group since publishing the plan. The group includes other national boards, the Met Office, Scottish Water, SEPA and local authorities. 

How can I find out more about adaptation? 

Visit the Adaptation Scotland website to learn more. You can also find out more about how we can all take steps to reduce the impacts of severe weather on our everyday lives by  reading the guide on the Net Zero Nation website.