Green for go at NHS Lanarkshire
NHS Lanarkshire has been praised for helping over 100 patients access local greenspace, parks and nature to further support their mental and physical health.
From donating 100kg of vegetables harvested from hospital gardens to a food bank, to participants engaging with therapeutic gardening sessions, the health board has developed various opportunities for inpatients, outpatients and staff to enjoy new and improved grounds.
Since 2018 NHS Lanarkshire has partnered with various public and voluntary sector local organisations to form the Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership (LGHP). The LGHP is the first to operate independently of the programme, incorporating nature-based solutions into health care to deliver positive health outcomes.
Green Health Partnerships were originally led by NatureScot’s‘Our Natural Health Service’ programme across Scotland to maximise ways of utilising our natural environment.
The LGHP work within NHS Lanarkshire has brought green health activities into patient rehabilitation programmes and dementia groups and helped improve the hospital environment with initiatives such as Hairmyres
Hospital setting up a food growing site, developing the new King George V Garden in Wishaw and delivery of plants and seeds, and online sessions during Covid restrictions.
Over 100 patients have actively engaged in the sessions, many long-term inpatients where this opportunity has made a significant impact on their wellbeing.
Kerri Todd, head of health improvement at NHS Lanarkshire, said:“The Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership has supported participants to experience a positive boost to their physical, emotional and mental health.
“Feedback from patients who have taken part in programmes such as therapeutic gardening has been heart-warming and I’m thrilled that NHS Lanarkshire has been able to grow our green health agenda and capitalise on our existing, health enhancing resource; the outdoors.
“The progress has been fantastic over the years and I’m proud our board has been able to successfully integrate these opportunities into existing practice.
“We will continue to work extremely hard to further develop our current green health initiatives and ensure as many residents as possible can experience these health and social benefits.”