Patients at King’s College Hospital can now receive full life support in critical care while experiencing the benefits of nature outdoors.

Located atop the hospitals 60-bed critical care unit, the rooftop garden has space for up to six beds which allow each patient to be close to a specially designed weatherproof medical cabinet which houses power, data, and medical gas supplies analogous to the care patients would receive on the unit.

The first hospital in the UK to open an outdoor Critical Care Garden on its roof, King’s are helping patients spend time in nature without being removed from their much-needed care.

Dr Tom Best, clinical director of King’s Critical Care, says, “research shows that time spent in nature can reduce delirium, improve recovery outcomes, and lift the spirits of patients and their families,” adding:

“It’s important to treat the whole person and this outdoor critical care unit helps meet our goal of caring for the mind as well as the body.”

The Horticultural Trades Association has found 85% of British adults agree that gardens and green spaces benefit mental health, while YouGov found that 81% agree it also benefits their physical health.

The garden project was funded by a £2m donation from King’s College Hospital Charity, plus some funding from the Trust. The National Garden Scheme also contributed a grant of £37,828 to support planting.

The garden was a collaboration between landscape architect Nigel Dunnett, who sadly passed away recently, and garden designer Sarah Price.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust pays tribute to Dunnett, who was integral to every aspect of the roof garden.