GUHD Biodiversity

Greenspace and Biodiversity

The Trust recognises the importance of regular access to natural environments for its patients, staff and visitors, and will continue to work to promote these benefits for mental health and wellbeing.

The Lake and Grounds at Royal Bournemouth Hospital

The man-made lake was developed to act as a surface water run-off from the hospital site to reduce the risk of localised flooding.

The Estates Department have adopted sympathetic and sustainable approaches to their management of the hospital grounds, including log piling to encourage biodiversity and wildlife, limited use of pesticides, and recycling of waste plant material. Around 30 bird boxes have also been installed across the hospital site, as well as covered duck houses around the lake.

The lake has a mixture of coarse fish introduced over many years. The main species are koi carp, mirror carp, grass carp and ornamental goldfish.

An annual treatment of a very fine chalk is added to help improve the water quality and provides a natural breakdown of sediment in the lake.

It's approximately 600 steps to do one circuit of the lake, which should take less than 10 minutes. This will count towards the target for good health of 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on at least 5 days of the week. 30 minutes of exercise can also burn up to 165 calories.

In 2016 the Orchard Garden Project delivered a new therapeutic courtyard garden situated directly outside the chemotherapy suite and next to the pathology department. A sensory walkway was also established to link the courtyard to the lakeside, and a new garden decking area designed so patients who need medical equipment like drips etc. can also benefit from the gardens and give them a retreat from their treatment.

Green Flag Award

RBCH Trust became the first NHS Trust within the United Kingdom to gain the Green Flag Award in 2016. The Trust was also awarded the Building Better Healthcare 2016 award for Best External Environment - recognising the work that had been carried out in the hospital greenspaces.

The UHD Biodiversity and Greenspace Policy is being written but will build upon the good work already captured here.