An ambitious plan to create forests the size of 2,500 football pitches was launched in Liverpool on Tuesday with senior figures from the NHS and Forestry.
The NHS Forest will see the planting of 1.3m trees across the UK, representing a sapling for every employee in the NHS. Dubbed the ‘Natural Health Service’, the forest project will plant trees, bushes and flowers on every NHS campus, benefitting patients and staff. One of the main aspirations is to improve access to green space on or near to NHS Estates for staff, patients and the local community.
The first tree in the NHS Forest was donated by the children of Mount Pleasant Primary School in the Wirral to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool in a ceremony on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009. Alder Hey is working closely with the Forestry Commission to create the new £288m hospital surrounded by parkland and play areas in what will become Europe’s first Children’s Health Park.
A tree sponsorship scheme will be set up so that patients, relatives and staff can purchase a tree to thank to staff for their care, commemorate a loved one or a retirement and celebrate a baby being born.
The Campaign for Greener Healthcare is working with the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust, Natural England, BTCV, the Community Forests and others to develop the NHS Forest. It will lead to partnerships between the NHS and others to identify areas where trees and woodlands can be created in or close to NHS sites and be adopted as part of the new forest.
Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive of Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust said: “We realised a long time ago at Alder Hey that green areas and a parkland environment are crucial as part of the recovery process for children. That is why our ambitious plan for a new Alder Hey will see the hospital in the middle of a public park where our young patients will be able to play and enjoy open space.
“The NHS Forest is a fantastic opportunity to create trees and natural environments around our hospitals. I am sure it will capture the imagination of the general public.”
Sir Muir Gray from The Campaign for Greener Healthcare said: “The forest will win hearts and minds by connecting NHS staff with a highly visible project to introduce the broader issues of sustainability. It will also link staff, patients and the neighbouring communities with their local green space providing very tangible physical benefits for recreation and physical activity as well as wellbeing and a symbolic connection with the wider environment.”
The Woodland Trust warmly endorses the NHS Forest and is delighted to lend its support to the project. James Lonsdale, Head of Woodland Creation for the Woodland Trust says “I can’t think of a more uplifting experience when going to a hospital or doctor surgery than seeing new trees being planted in the grounds. I also can’t think of a more natural and long lasting medicine!”
