Organisation: Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Broadgreen University Hospital and Aintree University Hospital

What was the issue?

There are green spaces at both Liverpool hospitals that could be used more productively and in the right way to benefit the environment, staff and patients.

What action was taken?

Some examples include:

• Providing social opportunities for patients in gardening, woodland management and food growing, aiding patient recovery through ‘Green Gym’
• Running a Forest School linked to ‘Friends of Bluebell Woods’ at Aintree Hospital
• Involving community members, patients and staff at Broadgreen Hospital in vegetable bed gardening
• Establishing a courtyard sanctuary garden at Aintree Hospital
• Holding weekly gardening sessions with children with behavioural difficulties
• Running a gardening group with young adults with learning disabilities and autism
• Planting over 1200 trees with volunteers

What was the Delivering a Net Zero NHS benefit? 

Access to green spaces has positive mental and physical health benefits, has the opportunity to improve air quality and increasing biodiversity contributes to carbon capture.

What are the wider benefits?

Staff are involved in activities and have seen the value in every small, outdoor space, providing a retreat from the stress of work.  This has often led to a ripple effect, with staff more likely to become involved in green initiatives, and more likely to recommend nature related interventions to patients.

Green spaces have also provided a relaxed setting for patients and visitors to interact away from the hospital interior, and in some cases for delivery of therapeutic sessions.

Local communities have benefitted from access to NHS Green Estate, as a place to spend time for their own mental and physical wellbeing, as well as assisting in environmental improvements.

Link for further information:

Website: https://nhsforest.org/projects/nature-recovery-rangers/nature-recovery-ranger-liverpool-hospitals/

Short video : https://youtu.be/VKz7x2tjC6w

Key contact and email: Emma Edwards – emma.edwards@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk