North Cotswolds Hospital - NHS Forest

North Cotswold Hospital is on the outskirts of Moreton-on-the-Marsh and has been extensively designed to blend in with the Cotswold Countryside by providing a Greenspace and biodiversity sanctuary for staff, patients, visitors, and the local community.

The grounds comprise extensive ornamental gardens with some semi-naturalised copses and are drained with a Sustainable Urban Drainage System of swales with a variety of bog plants to protect from flooding and to create a habitat for biodiversity.

246 NHS Forest trees have been planted since 2012 and part of the site was specifically designed with the input from staff, for Occupational Therapists to use with their patients to assist with rehabilitation, thereby improving independence and self-belief. In a very small space it offers:

• Slightly raised benches;
• Steps and sloping paths with handrails; and
• Different surfaces encompassing grass, gravel, and brick.

The raised benches help people stand easier, while they practice on the steps and sloping path with handrails either individually or in groups. The gardens are located right next to the gym, where patio doors lead to the different surface spaces, so if someone needs to practice mobility, they can easily go outdoors. An Active Balance record can track the progress of the patient over 9 months.

The grounds are maintained by a dedicated team of experienced volunteers with assistance from a wildlife volunteer project.

The site was highly commended at the NHS Forest Conference Awards in 2014.