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 stress Relieves depression Promotes relaxation Reduces aggressive behaviour Promotes physical activity Promotes social interaction and cohesion Increased patient satisfaction Increased staff retention Benefits of NHS Greenspace

Health and Wellbeing Views from hospital buildings Outdoor rehabilitation and recovery programmes Exercise referral schemes Therapeutic gardens/ gardening Employability and volunteering Active travel Supporting Sustainability Enhancing biodiversity Contribution to biomass schemes Sustainable drainage Active travel Web link: opics/settings/nhsgreenspace/inde x.aspx opics/settings/nhsgreenspace/inde x.aspx The Untapped Potential of NHS Greenspace

Desktop review (October January 2012) 86 → 13 → 7 sites Full assessment Biggart Hospital Arrol Park Resource Centre Arran War Memorial Hospital Girvan Community Hospital University Hospital Crosshouse North Ayrshire Community Hospital University 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 visitors Upgraded existing footpath Developed second footpath Introduced new signage an seating Carried out individual tree survey Planted fruit trees Installed electronic beam counters Launched 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