Research shows that spending time outdoors plays an important role in improving our overall health and wellbeing.
NHS Lanarkshire supports residents to access opportunities within local greenspace, parks and nature to further support their mental and physical health. The health board has partnered with various public and voluntary sector local organisations to form the Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership (LGHP) since 2018.
Green Health Partnerships were originally led by NatureScot’s ‘Our Natural Health Service’ programme across Scotland to maximise ways of utilising our natural environment. The LGHP is the first to operate independently of the programme, incorporating nature-based solutions into health care to deliver positive health outcomes.
The LGHP work within NHS Lanarkshire, which is also supported by NHS Charities Together, has brought green health activities into patient rehabilitation programmes and dementia groups. It has also developed various opportunities for inpatients, outpatients and staff to enjoy new and improved NHS grounds including:
- More than 100kg of vegetables harvested from hospital gardens and donated to a food bank
- Participants engaging with therapeutic gardening sessions
- University Hairmyres Hospital setting up a food growing site
- Delivery of plants and seeds, and online sessions during Covid restrictions
- Developing the new King George V Garden in Wishaw
NatureScot released its evaluation of the first three years (2018-2021) of the four pilot Green Health Partnerships (GHPs) across Scotland, which recognises the range and volume of work across all GHPs, and NHS Lanarkshire for embedding the LGHP within its public health policy and practice.
Kerri Todd, Head of Health Improvement, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership has supported participants to experience a positive boost to their physical, emotional and mental health.
“Feedback from patients who have taken part in programmes such as therapeutic gardening has been heart-warming and I’m thrilled that NHS Lanarkshire has been able to grow our green health agenda and capitalise on our existing, health enhancing resource; the outdoors.
“The progress has been fantastic over the years and I’m proud our board has been able to successfully integrate these opportunities into existing practice. We will continue to work extremely hard to further develop our current green health initiatives and ensure as many residents as possible can experience these health and social benefits.”
Bridget Finton, People & Places Team, NatureScot, added: “The evidence shows that physical activity outdoors and contact with nature is good for body and mind, and this is backed up by powerful personal stories including how people valued local green places during Covid restrictions.
“GHPs bring together a range of partners to create better places and support people whose health would benefit from using these places. This report shows how GHPs add value by championing green health, and it’s great to see the Lanarkshire GHP is now part of core business with the health board.”
Ruth McElhinney, Community Development Manager at Clydesdale Community Initiatives Scotland (CCI), who are a member of the Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership, added: “Our partnership with NHS Lanarkshire has resulted in participants learning new skills, gaining more confidence and experiencing feelings of contributing to the community.
“We have had over 100 patients actively engage in our sessions, many long term inpatients where this opportunity has made a significant impact on their social, mental and physical wellbeing. We have also donated over 100kg of vegetables to the Clydesdale Foodbank, all of which is grown on NHS Lanarkshire grounds.”
