The Queen has opened a state of the art outdoor ward for critical care patients at a London hospital, praising the innovative roof garden and meeting patients.

Queen Camilla has opened a state-of-the-art outdoor ward at a London hospital

View 4 Images

Queen Camilla has opened a state-of-the-art outdoor ward at a London hospital (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Queen Camilla has opened a new roof garden at a London hospital, which will serve as an ‘outdoor ward’ for the wellbeing of the hospital’s most critically ill patients. The Queen arrived at St George’s Hospital today, where she was met by Mark Lowcock, Chair of Epsom and St Helier’s NHS Hospitals Trust.

The Queen took a tour of the hospital, greeting staff in the neuroscience wing. The Queen met the matron of the neuroscience ward who runs the night shifts, as she told Camilla she had been at the hospital since 2004. When she said it was her 22nd year on the ward, the Queen was shocked as she exclaimed: “Oh my goodness!”

Queen Camilla met with patients at St George's Hospital in London

View 4 Images

Queen Camilla met with patients at St George’s Hospital in London(Image: Getty Images)

 

Camilla then headed to the outdoor ward where she shook hands with patients, one of which has been in the hospital for 12 weeks. Speaking of the impact the outside space will have, the Queen said she was very impressed and can see the difference it will make.

After unveiling the plaque to officially open of the Neuro Intensive Care Balcony Garden, Camilla said: “I can see the difference it makes just stepping outside into the fresh air. And I’m sure all the patients here will benefit enormously from this, so I think you’ve done a wonderful job. I’m thrilled to be here to open it.” As she left the hospital, Camilla was presented with a large floral bouquet, which left her beaming.

The innovative outdoor space represents a collaboration between the John King Brain Tumour Foundation and St George’s Hospital Charity. What was once an unused area has been transformed into an accessible green sanctuary for patients receiving critical neurological care.

Camilla met with staff at the neuroscience wing of the South London hospital

View 4 Images

Camilla met with staff at the neuroscience wing of the South London hospital (Image: AP Photo/Pool)

The purpose-built garden provides patients suffering from complex brain injuries, tumours or strokes with access to fresh air, natural light and connection to the outside world while remaining under expert clinical supervision.

The ‘outdoor ward’ has been adopted in more hospitals in London, with an outdoor critical care room opening at King’s College Hospital. King’s became the first hospital in the UK to open an outdoor Critical Care garden on its roof last week, allowing patients to receive full life support, whilst feeling the therapeutic benefits of nature.

The roof garden has space for up to six beds, allowing each patient to be close to a specially designed weatherproof medical cabinet which houses power, data, and medical gas supplies analogous to the care patients would receive on the unit.

Queen Camilla

View 4 Images

The Queen was presented with a bouquet of flowers after unveiling a plaque at the outdoor ward(Image: AP Photo/Pool)

Dr Tom Best, Clinical Director of King’s Critical Care, said: “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.

“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. 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.”

SOURCE: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/queen-camilla-outdoor-hospital-ward-37233451