GPs: Plant trees near schools to reduce asthma

PLANTING more trees, especially near schools, could combat lung disease and save lives, according to GPs.

Seven in 10 say they should be able to write prescriptions to spend time in nature to boost the health of future generations.

A survey of 255 doctors across the country found 94% backed more trees around urban schools to help beat conditions like asthma. And 77% supported more “green lung” shrubbery to ease pressure on health services.

Dr Darren Moorcroft, boss of the Woodland Trust, which carried out the poll, said: “This shows the need to prioritise the environment to reduce the burden on the NHS and save lives. Policymakers must take heed of these results.”

He added: “A startling 96% of GPs – who are on the front line of healthcare – want environmental issues moved up the political agenda. They recognise the potentially life-giving benefits of a cleaner, greener world and want their patients to be able to access those benefits more easily.”

Global warming is behind extreme weather including heatwaves, which claim thousands of lives each year.

Trees can help reduce ground temperatures by up to 12C. Doubling urban cover from 15% to 30% could lower average city mercury readings by 0.4C – and even 5.9C in some areas. Trish Goodwin, of the Bolton GP Federation, said: “People who attend green projects such as walking in rural locations report an improvement in physical health symptoms and mental wellbeing.

“It is critical that patients living in urban and high pollution areas have access to woodland and green spaces.” The Woodland Trust wants politicians to make increasing our native tree cover a long-term target. Dr Moorcroft said: “It’s going to take more than trees to solve the climate crisis, but we won’t have a world worth living in without billions more of them. Woods and trees lock up carbon, fight the effects of climate change, improve our health and wellbeing and reduce pollution and flooding, protecting nature, people and our planet.” Meanwhile, the Royal Horticultural Society has predicted we are set for a majestic display of spring blossom. Ideal conditions were created last year with high soil moisture from a wet March, an extremely hot June and a rainy summer. RHS chief horticulturist Guy Barter said: “The trees are laden with viable flower buds due to favourable weather last spring and summer – when flowering trees form flower buds for the following year.”