Willow Garden officially opened at Withybush Hospital

27 August 2024

The Willow Garden, a peaceful, green space offering a sanctuary in nature for patients, staff and visitors away from the busy hospital environment, officially opened today (27 August) at Withybush Hospital.

Funded by a Welsh Government ‘Local Places for Nature’ grant to the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership, with delivery of the project by Pembrokeshire County Council, the garden covers 2,500 square meters of accessible green space in the hospital grounds.

To mark the official opening, Hywel Dda UHB’s Chair Dr Neil Wooding planted a hawthorn tree in the garden at a ceremony attended by those who helped bring the garden to life, alongside staff and patients from the hospital’s frailty unit.

Dr Neil Wooding said: “It is an honour to officially open the Willow Garden at Withybush Hospital.

“The garden is a wonderful addition to the hospital grounds, providing a sanctuary, respite and relaxation within nature for our staff, patients and visitors.

“As a health board we recognise the importance of improving the quality of the physical environments in which we work and provide care and increasing access to nature.

“Improving the green spaces in and around our community and hospital sites will bring benefits to staff, patients, visitors, local communities and the natural living world.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in bringing this garden to fruition and hope those who visit experience a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.”

Suzanne Tarrant, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Head of the Staff Psychological Wellbeing Service for Hywel Dda UHB, said: “We are thrilled to officially open this natural space for staff, patients and visitors alike to step away from a sometimes stressful and unfamiliar hospital environment and reconnect with nature.

“There is a wealth of evidence showing how our health and wellbeing can be improved by spending time in nature and improving the quality and biodiversity of our natural environment.

“Away from the noises and sights of the hospital, visitors and staff can walk these grounds, enjoy the lush plant life, listen to the bird song and find moments of restoration in nature.”

Over the coming weeks, hospital staff will have the opportunity to create a communal piece of art, facilitated by willow artist Tina Cunningham from Ecolistic Artworks, as well as well as the creation of small, willow pollinators to add to the garden.