Sustainability in general practice: Why it matters and where to begin
On-demand recorded 12 Mar 2026
Climate change is an escalating health issue in Australia, with growing impacts on patient health, healthcare delivery, and health equity. Healthcare itself is a significant source of carbon emissions, making sustainability a core responsibility for the profession.
This session will explore why sustainability is relevant to everyday Australian general practice, examining the health impacts of climate change and the environmental footprint of healthcare. It will consider the role of general practice in Australia’s transition towards a low-carbon health system and highlight the leadership potential of primary care.
With a focus on practical and achievable actions, the presentation will provide clear starting points for practices at any stage of their sustainability journey, supporting high-quality patient care while protecting planetary health.
Learning outcomes
- Recognise the links between climate change, health outcomes, and the environmental footprint of healthcare, and understand their relevance to Australian general practice.
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Identify practical and achievable strategies that can be implemented in general practice to support sustainability and contribute to a low-carbon health system while maintaining high-quality patient care.
Facilitator
Dr Nicole Sleeman
Chair, RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine
Dr Nicole Sleeman is a passionate about the connection between human health, equity, and the health of planetary ecosystems. Nicole has been involved for almost a decade with Doctors for the Environment Australia and the broader climate and health movement, contributing to advocacy, education, and policy initiatives that advance healthier communities and sustainability within healthcare. She holds postgraduate qualifications in Public and Environmentally Sustainable Health and is currently undertaking further studies in Climate Change and Health
Speakers
Dr Bernard Shiu
Director of Geelong Long Covid Clinic and Banksia Medical Centre in Newcomb and Torquay
Dr Bernard Shiu is the Director of Geelong Long Covid Clinic and Banksia Medical Centre in Newcomb and Torquay. He was the winner of the prestigious RACGP GP of the Year Award in 2020 in Victoria. His clinic was awarded the Victorian Clinic of the year in 2023. He was invited to speak at the recent Long Covid Conference in Melbourne on Primary Care management pathway for Long Covid. He is also a member of the National Clinical Evidence Task Force. Dr Shiu established the Australia first community based Long Covid Clinic back in June 2022. His current main clinical and research interests are management of Covid and Long Covid conditions.
Dr Monica Theron
GP, Central Australia Aboriginal Congress, Mparntwe/Alice Springs
Dr Monica Theron is a GP at Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, based in Mparntwe/Alice Springs for over 8 years. Monica's special interests are Aboriginal Health, Lifestyle Medicine and Palliative Care. She is also a fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.