Health workers call for urgent EU action to protect staff and strengthen climate-resilient health systemsAcross Europe, health workers are delivering care in hospitals and care settings under increasing climate pressure. Extreme heat, other climate-related disruptions, and rising demand are placing growing strain on overstretched and understaffed health services.
During heatwaves and other climate-related crises, healthcare staff continue caring for patients in increasingly difficult and at times unsafe conditions – often without adequate protection or support. Hospitals themselves are also under strain, from overheating buildings to rising patient demand and staffing shortages.
In short, climate change is a public health emergency unfolding in real time, and health workers are on the frontlines, bearing the brunt.
Yet across Europe, health systems remain underprepared to protect those who deliver care.
Through the #HandleTheHeat campaign, health workers and representative societies across Europe are calling on the European Commission to take urgent action to strengthen climate-resilient health systems and protect the healthcare workforce — to help create hospitals that can
handle the heat.By signing this open letter, you support calls for:
- a comprehensive EU Strategy on Climate and Health to coordinate action across Member States and embed health in EU climate and resilience policy
- stronger protections for health workers, including measures to address occupational heat risks in healthcare settings
- climate-ready hospitals and healthcare facilities that can safely operate during extreme heat and other climate-related stressors
- improved preparedness and EU-wide early warning systems for climate-related health risks to reduce pressure on health services and staff during crises
Your signature will help demonstrate that healthcare workers across Europe are deeply concerned about the growing risks posed by climate change to safe care delivery, workforce wellbeing, and public health.
Protecting health workers is essential to ensuring safe and reliable care for everyone.
You can read the full open letter here.
By completing this form, you agree that the details you provide may be included as part of the signatories to this letter. We are also asking for your email address so we can contact you regarding the campaign or the letter if necessary. Your email address will not be published or shared further.
If you are interested in launching a similar national letter in your country, please contact europe@hcwh.org.