Greening the NHS estate in Scotland

The impact of ‘the great outdoors’ and ‘greenspace’ on health and wellbeing is well-documented. Now, explains Kevin Lafferty, Access, Health & Recreation advisor at Forestry Commission Scotland, a ‘unique’ outdoor health programme in Scotland is exploring the potential for greenspace design to be integrated both as a key element for existing healthcare facilities, and in the creation of new ones. 

NHS Health Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, and Forestry Commission Scotland, are working in partnership to deliver a number of demonstration projects at sites across Scotland to assess the value of greenspace, and to influence the ‘mainstreaming’ of green exercise into health policy and practice. 

The programme has explored greening options with senior representatives from the estates and public health departments at most of the 14 area health boards in Scotland, and a key target is to develop a demonstration project at all of Scotland’s mainland area health boards. The work at the current demonstration sites has seen the creation of peaceful and attractive outdoor areas that have increased connectivity between the built and natural environment, increased use of outdoor space by staff, patients, and visitors, and made available more greenspace for patient therapeutic activities.