Preparing and utilising the primary care nursing workforce for extreme weather events: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
To understand why climate change represents a major health emergency
To appreciate how the experience of primary care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic relates to extreme weather events
To recognise that adaptability, innovation and a commitment to continuity of patient care are crucial to managing the health-related effects of climate change
Climate change is a major health emergency, and preventing and managing climate-related health emergencies requires a healthcare workforce prepared to meet extreme challenges. Primary care nurses are central to managing both routine and emergent needs during climate-related disruptions. Lessons from their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic – in which they demonstrated adaptability, expertise, innovation and a commitment to continuity of patient care, despite facing significant challenges – can offer critical insights into preparing this workforce for the escalating health crisis of climate change. This preparation demands system-wide emergency preparedness, rapid adaptation and workforce flexibility. This article explores the experiences of primary care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and applies these insights to strategies for building a climate-responsive, resilient nursing workforce capable of delivering equitable care during future health crises such as extreme weather events.
