Building resilience together: actionable solutions to tackle workforce challenges and the climate crisis’ impact on health systems within the commonwealth

The emerging threats facing healthcare systems are becoming increasingly challenging to manage, from climate change effects to overburdened healthcare systems. Fundamental changes to the way that health systems develop and work together are needed to build resilience and ensure that they can withstand and continue to deliver effective care, despite emerging threats. These themes were the focus of the 2024 Commonwealth Civil Society Policy Forum, which brought together members of the Commonwealth Health Professions and Partners Alliance. The forum theme was centred on 'Actionable Solutions to Building Resilience in Healthcare Systems within the Commonwealth, with an Emphasis on Small and Vulnerable States'. Given the broad network of governmental, non-governmental and civil society organisations across all continents within the Commonwealth, this platform is ideally placed to tackle these global challenges. The purpose of the forum was to develop and agree on key recommendations to take forward to the 2024 Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting to advocate for policy change. Speakers emphasised the Civil Society's role in strengthening health systems and urged policymakers to consider, in a global context, the highest priority issues. Six recommendations were agreed upon: Addressing the effects of climate change on health.Strengthening Health Emergency Capacities.Leveraging workforce capability to support health across the whole-life course.Bringing younger and older generations together.Addressing sustainable availability and employment of healthcare workers.Developing a resilient health workforce.Civil Society must act as a catalyst for change to build and strengthen healthcare resilience by working collaboratively through innovation, community engagement, promoting equality and diversity and sharing best practice. These six recommendations are a call to action for all civil societies. Through collective action, these principles can be adopted to strengthen every area of healthcare systems to ensure health security and efficiency for our populations.