NHS Forest and Outer Space: Improving wellbeing through environmental sustainability Ben Whittaker (Occupational Therapy Programme Lead, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare) David Johnston (Lead Occupational Therapist Neurosciences and Oncology, Ninewells Hospital) Mary Colvin (Health Promotions Programmes Manager, Directorate of Public Health) Sarah Dandy (NHS Forest Co-ordinator, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare)

Aims of NHS Forest Improving the health of staff, patients and communities through increasing access to greenspace on or near NHS land Greening the NHS Estates with a target of 1 tree per NHS employee amounting to 1.3 million trees Encouraging greater social cohesion between NHS sites and the local community

Benefits of the NHS Forest Trees and Greenspace can provide: accelerated patient recovery (Ulrich 1984) a healing environment enhanced mood and self esteem, lower blood pressure improved air quality reduced surface temperature and risk of flooding reduced costs through preventative healthcare For more information of the benefits of the NHS Forest: www.nhsforest.org/evidence

31,051 trees planted so far

NHS Sustainability Day of Action http://www.nhsforest.org/fantastic-number-nhs-forest-sites-plant-trees-part-nhs-sustainability-day-action

Yorkshire Ambulance Service Some Site Examples SLAM - Orchard Restoration Yorkshire Ambulance Service Todmorden Health Centre

University Hospital Coventry Outer Space Project St Catherine’s Hospital Doncaster University Hospital Coventry

The hospital grounds cover 40 hectares. The area of the Arboretum Wood and greenspace is 23 hectares.

Dundee's Core Paths Plan A network of paths for sustainable travel and recreation within Dundee

From This..

To This…

Rob’s Story

The next step The garden has been built to be accessible to everyone and we now want to develop the rest of the area and realise its full potential, fulfilling the aspirations of the groups involved and extending the benefits to ever more people.

How you can be part of the NHS Forest Plant Trees at your Healthcare Organisation Encourage staff, patients and the local community to use their NHS Forest Sponsor a Tree See if the League of Friends will stock the NHS Forest Tree Sponsorship cards Partner with the NHS Forest as a delivery organisation

Contacts Sarah Dandy (NHS Forest Co-ordinator) 01865 515811 sarah.dandy@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk Ben Whittaker (OT Susnet) ben.whittaker@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk David Johnston (Ninewells Hospital) davidjohnston2@nhs.net Mary Colvin (Directorate of Public Health) mary.colvin@nhs.net www.nhsforest.org