EnglishSummary of Impact so far
“I had become concerned about air pollution since moving to London (“The Big Smoke”) from Scotland in 2016. And around that time, I had read several papers in prominent medical journals about negative health consequences of air pollution. But I was distracted by completing specialist training and settling to my consultant role, and I was unsure what a paediatrician could do. Until 2021 when Ride for Their Lives showed me a way to contribute for the first time, and I didn’t hesistate. The ride from London to Glasgow ahead of COP26 was one the most arduous activities I had ever undertaken, but I realised the real challenge was how I would sustain the campaign. Through ongoing engagement with RFTL, I have met a community of like-minded healthcare workers, have learned even more about air pollution and the wider nature crisis, and have understood the various actions I can take as healthcare worker and global citizen.
Since the initial ride, I have given presentations at my Trust on air pollution and the nature crisis, collaborated with my Trust Air Quality manager on an indoor air quality monitoring project, joined my hospital’s Clean Air Network, hosted a London-wide educational meeting on air pollution, published a conference abstract, helped trainee paediatricians develop their own sustainability projects, provided the Greater London Authority with health messaging in favour of the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, and helped forge stronger ties between RFTL and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health through organising rides.
I have also become a better cyclist.”
Jackie
In preparing for RFTL I read a lot of the science around climate change and, alongside this, air pollution and the devastating effects it has on all our health, and especially for children. I was struck by how little I had known about the health impacts and why this isn’t more broadly publicised. Our modern, convenience based, fast paced, instant lifestyle is genuinely making us sick and, as the evidence suggests, babies, children and adults are dying. During the ride I started to think about what next. How could I have an impact, even if small, on raising awareness and changing the way we live? For me, it was a political issue, so I stood as a local councillor and was elected in May 2022. I sit on the Environment, Health & Social Care and Children’s scrutiny groups. I talk to local residents and promote People Friendly Streets, improved recycling infrastructure, better public transport and reduced traffic into the borough. Importantly, I have an opportunity to really highlight, as a doctor and councillor, the devastating health consequences of air pollution and why improving air quality, even if the steps to achieve this are not always popular, is an urgent and essential priority
Taking air pollution data to the next level – displaying in the patient chart and empowering action
Poster Presentation at RCPCH Conference Glasgow May 2023; There is a significant knowledge gap regarding air pollution and its impacts at our hospital. We present a novel and easily replicable intervention that displays useful patient specific data and resources at the point of need to clinicians.
