Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn opens garden for dementia patients

A new dementia-friendly garden has opened to help bring the therapeutic effects of nature to patients on a specialist hospital ward.

The garden at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn will be open for everyone in the hospital.

It has been created to enhance the wellbeing of patients and provide a quiet space for them to relax in the natural world.

Funded by a £43,000 grant from The QEH King’s Lynn Charity, the garden was officially unveiled by chief executive Alice Webster and ward sister Sarah Champion, who leads the West Dereham ward.

The development of the dementia friendly garden saw QEH staff work closely with patients, carers and families – who chose the pink flooring – as well as landscape architects Bridge for Heroes and the Lynn Dementia Café, whose team created and decorated bird boxes, feeders and bug hotels for the garden.

Ms Webster said: “We are so pleased to have collaborated with PRP Architects who have been working hard to create this important space for patients living with dementia, carers, and staff.

“This garden will provide a comfortable and safe environment away from the ward in tranquil setting.”

Colourful and textured plants have been displayed to stimulate memories and cognitive activity, as well as memorable aromas such as rosemary or lavender.

The garden is also inclusive for other patients on the ward.

Wheelchair users will have raised gardening beds for planting as well as accessible tables, and the terrace area will also allow hospital beds to be taken outside so that every patient can access fresh air.

Reporting by Eloise Short