Olivia Geddes

Thesis Title: Climate adaptation measures in UK general practice

It is essential that healthcare systems are resilient to the impacts of unavoidable climate-related risks and extreme weather. As the ‘front door’ to the NHS, general practice has a fundamental role at the forefront of climate adaptation. There is a lack of research into how UK general practice is, and will be, directly challenged by the multifaceted impacts of climate change; little is understood about adaptation measures planned or employed, their efficacy and impact on patient health.

The main research question this doctoral study seeks to address is: What does climate change adaptation in general practice mean for staff, patients, and other key stakeholders in the NHS, and how is the need for such adaptation being acted upon? More specifically, the project will answer:

•How do general practice staff and patients perceive the need for climate change adaptation measures in general practice?

•What types of climate change adaptation measures are being planned and implemented in general practice, and what are the key internal and external factors that affect this?

•What are the opportunities or challenges associated with planning and implementing climate change adaptation measures in general practice?

A mixed-methods approach will be applied to address the research question. A systematic review will identify, characterise and summarise existing literature. These findings will inform subsequent studies, including surveys and interviews with general practice staff, patients, and stakeholders to provide a comprehensive overview of the perceptions and experiences of climate adaptation measures in UK general practice, and their associated challenges.

Biography:

Olivia is an ESRC-funded doctoral scholar, conducting research on climate adaptation strategies in UK general practice. Her research interest and experience lies in the intersection between the environment and health; how the environment and the changing climate impacts health and health service delivery, and conversely, how healthcare delivery impacts the environment. Between 2023-26, she worked as a Research Associate on the GPNET-0 Study, an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods study exploring factors influencing decarbonisation in general practice. Prior to this she studied her MSc in Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter, achieving a Distinction (hons). She also holds a BSc in Biomedical Science from Keele University. Additionally, she has worked to support the development and dissemination of several research projects whilst working as a Communications Assistant at the University of Oxford.

Publications:

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2467-6351

Nunes AR, Geddes O, Karaba, F e al. Mobilising Knowledge for General Practice Decarbonisation: Maximising Impact Through a Multi-Stakeholder Workshop. Health Expectations 2025; 28(6):e70477. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70477

Nunes AR, Atherton H, Dahlmann F et al. From theory to practice: Using the Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to understand implementation of decarbonisation in general practice. Family Practice 2025; 42(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmaf050

Geddes O, Twohig H, Dahlmann F et al. Readiness to reduce primary careassociated carbon emissions in England: a cross-sectional survey of clinical and non-clinical staff views. BMJ Open 2025; 15(7). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen2024-095457

Geddes O, Karaba F, Atherton H, et al. Factors influencing general practice teams when identifying areas for decarbonisation: a qualitative study British Journal of General Practice 2025; 75(supp 1). https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp25X741993

Nunes A R, Karaba F, Geddes O, et al. Implementing decarbonisation actions in general practice: challenges and strategies. British Journal of General Practice 2025; 75 (supp 1). https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp25X741741

Nunes AR, Karaba F, Geddes O, et al. Implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice – a systematic review and narrative synthesis BMJ Open 2025;15: e091404. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091404

Nunes AR, Atherton H, Dahlmann F et al. Supporting the drive for net zero by decarbonising general practice- A longitudinal study protocol [version 1; peer review: 1 approved]. NIHR Open Res 2024; 4(82). https://doi.org/10.3310/nihropenres.13833.2

Karaba F, Nunes AR, Geddes O, et al. Implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice: a systematic review and narrative synthesis protocol BMJ Open 2024; 14:e087795. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087795

Geddes O, Twohig H, Eccles A et al. Supporting general practices to develop Green Action Plans to reduce carbon emissions: development and evaluation of a workshop-based intervention. (Accepted for publication in Primary Health Care Research and Development, in print)

Warwick Medical School

University of Warwick

2025 Cohort

Email:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-geddes-605005242/Link opens in a new window

Supervisory Team:

Dr Ana Raquel Nunes

Dr Frederik Dahlmann

Dr Rachel Spencer

Prof Jeremy Dale