Circulate: Reimagining a Climate-Resilient NHS Scotland
In response to the climate emergency and its impact on public health, this collaborative project reimagines a climate-resilient NHS Scotland by 2048 through the lens of speculative design.
About the Project
This project used design fiction to explore how healthcare systems might adapt to environmental disruption, sustainability imperatives, and systemic constraints.
At its core was a speculative card game for NHS professionals, designers, and the public to imagine future healthcare scenarios shaped by climate change. Participants explored ideas like decentralised solar-powered clinics and regenerative medical garments, using the game to prototype responses that balance clinical, environmental, and social needs.
Drawing on circular economy principles and transition design, the project mapped NHS Scotland product lifecycles and uncovered opportunities for low-carbon innovation. The final outputs include a modular game toolkit, open-access resources, and a documentary film, supporting wider education and civic engagement.
Tested in workshops at V&A Dundee, the project positioned design as a critical tool for systemic change—sparking dialogue and new thinking around climate adaptation in public services and offering a replicable model for sustainable healthcare futures.
Download play-at-home versions of the Circulate! game:
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