The research, supported by the Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland (CRIS) Forum, will move beyond the direct effects of extreme weather on individual organisations. It aims to understand how disruptions to one part of the nation's infrastructure could trigger knock-on effects elsewhere, particularly concerning healthcare services, buildings, and the communities they serve.
NHSGGC will contribute its healthcare expertise to the project, helping to shape the research and its outcomes. This involvement is expected to enhance understanding of interconnected risks and foster collaboration across various Scottish organisations, enabling more effective planning for climate change impacts.
The study will map the dependencies between Scotland’s critical infrastructure systems, identifying potential points where climate-related disruptions could have wider consequences. For NHSGGC, this work will support its ongoing climate adaptation efforts, aiming to better prepare for and safeguard the continuity of effective healthcare delivery.
“"Our healthcare services don’t operate in isolation. They depend every day on power, water, transport, communications and many other services, so understanding how climate-related disruption in one area could affect another is hugely important."
“"By working alongside organisations from across Scotland, we can bring a healthcare perspective to this research while also learning from the experience and expertise of other sectors. Ultimately, this is about making sure we understand the risks ahead and can plan effectively to keep our healthcare services as resilient as possible for the communities that depend on them."
The research will develop a shared register of infrastructure interdependencies and a model illustrating these connections. Proposed outputs include a detailed place-based model for NHSGGC, demonstrating how climate-related risks could cascade through infrastructure systems and impact people and services. The project is managed by the National Centre for Resilience at the University of Glasgow.
The project is currently undergoing procurement, with the research expected to be carried out over 12 months. The tender was issued this week, with an appointment anticipated around the end of November. Phase 1 report is due by the end of March 2027, and Phase 2 completion by the end of September 2027.
