Salisbury Hospital wins national award for biodiversity
Hospital recognised for efforts with green space as COP27 begins
Just as COP27 begins, Salisbury District Hospital has announced that it has won this year’s national NHS Forest award for how it's supporting biodiversity.
NHS Forest inspires and supports healthcare sites in transforming their green space for health, wellbeing and biodiversity.
Each year, they present awards to sites that have created inspiring green spaces and used them in particularly innovative ways.
SDH has been working for the past three years to achieve 'greater engagement and understanding' of the countryside and natural environment the 21 hectare site is set in.
They've produced a full colour nature guide, complete with illustrations, scientific information and seasonal calendar, written by staff member James Macpherson.
The hospital’s Facilities Waste and Grounds Team has mapped and created a strategy for protected wildflower verges.
ArtCare, the hospital’s arts in health service, has created a walking guide to public footpaths and natural spaces around the hospital for staff to visit during breaks.
There are also monthly nature walks for staff and the public, species surveys, creative activities and online resources.
Younger mental health patients have also been helping to develop a special garden on the hospital site.
Gemma Heath, Sustainability Manager at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Thanks to dedicated and collaborative working between nature groups, staff member James Macpherson, ArtCare, and the Facilities Waste and Grounds team, I am delighted that the hospital has won the national NHS Forest Award for Successful Ways To Support Biodiversity.
"The natural environment is an important part of our hospital site and has a vital role to play as we work towards a greener NHS. It provides staff, patients and visitors with increased wellbeing, helps reduce carbon emissions, supports habitat and species conservation, and encourages education about the importance of nature.”