King's College Hospital opens UK's first outdoor critical care garden

June 3, 2026

South London News NHS and Wellbeing Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

King's College Hospital outdoor critical care garden opens, offering patients full life support in nature.

King's College Hospital launches pioneering outdoor critical care space

King's College Hospital in South London has opened the UK's first outdoor Critical Care garden. This innovative facility is located on the roof of the hospital's critical care unit.

The garden allows patients to receive full life support while experiencing the therapeutic benefits of nature. It can accommodate up to six beds, each with access to weatherproof medical cabinets.

This extension of critical care ensures patients can be safely cared for outdoors without disconnection from essential life-support systems.

Dr Tom Best, Clinical Director of King’s Critical Care, stated, “Some of our most unwell patients spend weeks or even months in critical care receiving intensive and often invasive treatment to give them the best chance of recovery.”

He added, “Many experience hallucinations or delirium in the clinical environment, which can be extremely frightening and delay recovery. Research shows that time spent in nature can reduce delirium, improve recovery outcomes, and lift the spirits of patients and their families.”

Dr Best continued, “It’s important to treat the whole person and this outdoor critical care unit helps meet our goal of caring for the mind as well as the body.”

Funding and Design of the Critical Care Garden

The project was funded by a significant £2m donation from King’s College Hospital Charity. Additional funding was provided by the Trust.

Iona Joy, Director of Grants and Insight at King’s College Hospital Charity, commented, “We are delighted to have funded this visionary project, which is about more than medical excellence. It’s about dignity, humanity, and innovation.”

She further stated, “We are transforming intensive care into compassionate care — where science, technology, and empathy work together to save and rebuild lives.”

The garden's design involved collaboration between landscape architect Nigel Dunnett and garden designer Sarah Price. The planting strategy includes aromatic and native species.

The Critical Care team will research the impact of the garden on patient recovery, length of stay, and long-term outcomes. The benefits for families and staff managing stress will also be studied.

Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust, remarked, “The opening of our roof garden is an important milestone for our hospital; a project dedicated to those with serious and life-threatening conditions.”

He added, “It’s been built with purpose and guided by the needs of patients and their families and reflects a deep commitment to dignity, support, and hope.”

Professor Kay concluded, “I’d like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank King’s College Hospital Charity, as well as colleagues at the Trust who have made this possible. Their expertise, dedication, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do at King’s.”

The King’s Critical Care Roof Garden is the final component of the King’s Critical Care Centre. This centre supports over 5,000 patients and 15,000 loved ones annually.

In the UK, the NHS faces increasing demand for critical care services. National statistics indicate that critical care units are vital for treating the most severely ill patients. Innovations like the King's College Hospital roof garden aim to enhance patient recovery and well-being, addressing the psychological impact of prolonged hospital stays. The £2m donation highlights the role of charitable funding in driving such advancements within the NHS.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from King's College Hospital NHS Trust.

Document: Outdoor Critical Care Roof Garden opens at King’s College Hospital - King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Source Link: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/news/outdoor-critical-care-roof-garden-opens-at-kings-college-hospital/

Author

South London News NHS and Wellbeing Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From the corridors of St Thomas' to pioneering local clinics, the South London News NHS & Wellbeing Desk offers comprehensive coverage of our healthcare system. Our editorial staff provide clinical updates, patient success stories, and service analysis, ensuring our readers stay connected to the medical milestones happening in their community.

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