Outdoor Space Provides Comfort for Patient and Family

How access to green areas helped a patient maintain family bonds during treatment

Thomas, a 49-year-old man from Richmond Hill, has spent the past four months in hospital undergoing treatment for lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. His diagnosis followed a sudden hospital admission the day before New Year’s Eve when he was unable to move his limbs. A CT scan revealed multiple lesions along his spine that had caused a fracture. After further tests and biopsies, Thomas received his diagnosis eight weeks later.

Since then, Thomas has been navigating a demanding treatment schedule involving stays in various hospital wards, ambulance transfers, and medical scans. Throughout this challenging period, access to outdoor green space within the hospital grounds has played an important role in supporting his wellbeing and maintaining contact with his family.

Challenges of hospital visits for young children

Thomas’s wife, Cath, and their three-year-old daughter have faced difficulties visiting him in the hospital. The busy and clinical environment of the wards proved overwhelming for their daughter, making visits stressful when Thomas was confined to bed and unable to leave his room.

However, spending time together outdoors in a designated green area provided a calmer setting where Thomas and his daughter could enjoy moments of normality and connection away from the hospital wards. This outdoor space offered a valuable opportunity for quality family time during a difficult period.

Importance of green spaces in healthcare settings

• Green areas can help reduce stress and anxiety for patients and their families.
• They provide a more child-friendly environment, facilitating visits from young relatives.
• Access to outdoor spaces supports mental health and wellbeing during extended hospital stays.

Thomas’s experience highlights the significance of incorporating accessible outdoor spaces in hospital settings to support patients and their loved ones during treatment.

Source: Leeds Hospitals Charity