New Rooftop Garden for Critical Care Patients Opens in London

A hospital in south London has unveiled a rooftop garden designed specifically for its Critical Care patients, allowing them to enjoy fresh air and sunlight during their recovery.

Patients in the ICU can now visit this garden, which offers them essential life support while surrounded by nature. It’s located on top of the hospital’s critical care unit, which features 60 beds, and has room for up to six patients at a time.

What’s fascinating is that each patient can remain connected to vital life-support systems while outdoors. The garden has six specially-designed weatherproof cabinets to ensure that power, data, and medical gas supplies are always available, similar to what they would experience inside the unit.

The staff at King’s College Hospital aim to explore how access to fresh air and natural surroundings can positively influence patients’ mental health, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being for everyone involved—including families and caregivers.

Dr. Tom Best, the Clinical Director for King’s Critical Care, mentioned that many patients spend lengthy periods in intensive care, highlighting research that shows nature can enhance recovery. He emphasized the importance of addressing both the mind and body in patient care.

Iona Joy, who oversees grants at the King’s College Hospital Charity, described the garden as a merging of dignity, humanity, and innovation. The initiative is meant to transform intensive care into something more compassionate, where empathy and technological advancements work hand in hand.

Holly, a patient awaiting a heart operation, shared her thoughts on the garden. “Even if it was thunderstorms, I’d be out here,” she said. “It’s lovely.” This points to how spending time outside can provide motivation during tough times.

The garden was designed by Nigel Dunnett, a landscape architect and professor, along with Sarah Price, known for her exceptional design work. They incorporated aromatic plants like rosemary and sage, as well as native and tactile plants to engage patients actively rather than passively observe.

This low-maintenance garden plays a crucial role in the hospital’s critical care program, which serves over 5,000 patients and 15,000 family members annually. The Critical Care team plans to study both the long-term outcomes for the patients and how the new space benefits families and staff, especially in managing stress.

Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, stated that the garden was intentionally created with the needs of those facing serious health challenges in mind, underscoring their commitment to dignity and hope.