Health & Environment ‘Greening the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Estate’

Elaine Caldow -Lead Public Health Practitioner

Evidence of link between natural environment and health is growing:

Reduction in pain and stressRelieves depressionPromotes relaxationReduces aggressive behaviourPromotes physical activityPromotes social interaction and cohesionIncreased patient satisfactionIncreased staff retention

Benefits of NHS Greenspace

Health and Wellbeing

Views from hospital buildingsOutdoor rehabilitation and recovery programmesExercise referral schemesTherapeutic gardens/ gardeningEmployability and volunteeringActive travel

Supporting Sustainability

Enhancing biodiversityContribution to biomass schemesSustainable drainageActive travel

Web link: http://www.healthscotland.com/topics/settings/nhsgreenspace/index.aspx

The Untapped Potential of NHS Greenspace

•Desktop review (October 2011- January 2012) 86 → 13 → 7 sites

Full assessment

Biggart HospitalArrol Park Resource CentreArran War Memorial HospitalGirvan Community HospitalUniversity Hospital Crosshouse North Ayrshire Community HospitalUniversity Hospital Ayr / Ailsa

Strategic Review of NHS A&A Estate

University Hospital Ayr/ Ailsa Site

Issues Identified

Woodland Management Lack of good walking routes 86% said they did not walk

in any of the woodland paths

59% said they would if improvements were made

Lack of therapeutic garden spaces

Amount of closely mown land

Evergreen Way Pre-Development

Woodland Wynd: Pre-Development

Phase I

Secured funding Surveyed staff, patients and visitorsUpgraded existing footpathDeveloped second footpath Introduced new signage an seatingCarried out individual tree surveyPlanted fruit trees Installed electronic beam countersLaunched the paths!

Evergreen Way Completed

And......

Woodland Wynd completed

Phase I Launch Event

Phase II Funding secured New looped path through mature

woodlands Improving active travel links Woodland management Planting new specimen trees Grassland management/ meadow

creation Graded, varied walks, way finding,

signage Interpretation boards and maps Covered teaching areas Outdoor exercise areas/ bowling green

area Engagement work Volunteering & employability Links with clinical teams/ rehab/

recovery

Feedback

Patient feedback:

“It’s peaceful and therapeutic”“It’s magic” “You feel miles away from

everything”

Staff feedback:

“You don’t feel like you are in a hospital, you could be anywhere”

“I’ve had my one to one meetings on the paths”

“The walks are beautiful and full of wildlife”

Thanks for

Listening