Biodiversity

Biodiversity, the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, is increasingly recognised for its profound benefits on human health and wellbeing. Within the NHS estate, incorporating biodiversity initiatives can significantly enhance the environment for both staff and patients, fostering improved mental health and creating a more sustainable, resilient healthcare system.

For the NHS Estate:

  1. Enhanced Natural Beauty: Integrating green spaces, trees, and diverse plant life enhances the aesthetic appeal of hospital grounds, creating welcoming and calming environments.
  2. Improved Air Quality: Trees and plants play a crucial role in filtering pollutants, providing cleaner air which is particularly beneficial in urban areas.
  3. Climate Resilience: Biodiverse landscapes help mitigate the effects of climate change by enhancing flood protection, reducing the urban heat island effect, and supporting ecosystems.

For Staff and Patients:

  1. Mental Health: Studies have shown that exposure to nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Green spaces within hospital grounds provide a tranquil environment for relaxation and recovery.
  2. Physical Health: Accessible green spaces encourage outdoor activities such as walking, which can improve physical health and wellbeing.
  3. Social Benefits: Biodiverse areas offer spaces for social interaction, community engagement, and educational opportunities, fostering a sense of community and connectedness.

Local Projects

Several biodiversity and green space projects are currently underway across the North East and Yorkshire. These initiatives focus on tree planting, creating green spaces, and developing wellbeing gardens to enhance both environmental sustainability and community health.

▼ Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust:

 

This trust has partnered with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust to enhance biodiversity at their hospital sites. They have also planted over 1,250 trees across various sites as part of the NHS Forest project, which aims to improve the environmental footprint of healthcare facilities​.

▼ Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership

 

This partnership has implemented several environmentally sustainable healthcare initiatives, including the “Green Primary Care” program. This initiative focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of primary care while improving healthcare quality. Projects under this program include creating greener practices in local healthcare settings and promoting biodiversity through tree planting and garden spaces​.

▼ North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

 

The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has been actively involved in tree planting and other green initiatives. One notable project was a tree planting event held at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, aimed at enhancing the hospital environment and promoting biodiversity. This event was part of the Trust’s commitment to improving green spaces for the benefit of patients, staff, and the local community.

▼ Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust:

 

The trust is transforming 3,500 square meters across four sites into wildflower meadows and has introduced four well-being gardens. They also established a wooded walkway at Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham to enhance patient and staff well-being.

▼ Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

 

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has created a woodland trail that spans almost half a mile through the hospital grounds in Cottingham. This trail provides a safe and tranquil environment for staff to relax and recharge during their breaks, encouraging activities like team meetings, lunchtime walks, and general breaks from their high-pressure work environments.

▼ Yorkshire Ambulance Service

 

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) has been actively involved in various green initiatives in partnership with NHS Forest and Hubbub. One notable project includes the planting of 50 fruit trees at 11 different sites across Yorkshire, including locations such as Brough, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Hull, Malton, Northallerton, Scarborough, Sheffield, Selby, Thirsk, and York. This effort was part of the NHS Forest project, which aims to create greener environments around NHS sites to benefit staff, patients, and the local community

▼ Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

 

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been actively involved in promoting green initiatives, including tree planting. In December 2021, the Trust undertook a significant tree planting effort as part of the NHS Forest project, aiming to enhance the green spaces around their hospitals. This initiative was part of the wider effort to create healthier environments for both patients and staff, contributing to the overall well-being and sustainability goals of the NHS.

▼ Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

 

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust marked National Tree Week by planting over 300 trees across its hospital sites in Northumberland. This effort, which took place in December 2022, was part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and enhancing the green spaces for the benefit of patients, staff, and the wider community. The trees were provided by NHS Forest, a project aimed at increasing green cover around NHS sites, improving biodiversity, and contributing to carbon sequestration efforts

These projects demonstrate a strong commitment to integrating environmental sustainability with health and well-being across the region.

NHS Forest

The NHS Forest is an alliance of health sites working to transform their green space to realise its full potential for health, wellbeing and biodiversity, and to encourage engagement with nature. It is run by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, an independent UK charity, as part of its Green Space for Health programme.

The NHS Forest started life as a tree planting project in 2009. Since then, more than 360 healthcare sites across the UK have joined the alliance, and over 100,000 trees have been planted on or near to their estates. But like all forests, the NHS Forest comprises far more than just trees. Sites have established a wide range of green spaces on and around their land, which offer multiple benefits to the people and wildlife that inhabit and visit them.

The NHS has around 6,500 hectares of land in England alone, and healthcare sites can act as ‘anchor institutions’ in their communities, providing spaces for socialising and learning, recreation and exercise. Ensuring there is accessible green space can have wide reaching impacts.