Kingston Hospital staff grow their wellbeing with help from the RHS


27 July 2021



Kingston Hospital staff tend to planters they designed and created with help from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Aimed at supporting wellbeing during the pandemic, the project saw teams of clinical and non-clinical staff including admin and clerical staff, doctors, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals work with the RHS to come up with ten planters for all to enjoy in the hospital grounds. Pollinator-friendly planting, upcycled crutches and innovative drip watering systems are among the features.

There is a growing mountain of evidence that gardening is good for our health and wellbeing. Just adding a few plants to a bare front garden can make us feel happier and more relaxed, while a recent RHS study found that daily gardening is as good for mental wellbeing as regular vigorous exercise. 

Their amazing efforts came into full bloom recently as their planters were judged by the RHS team.

Congratulations to everyone who took part, the winners are:

Best theme – Risk/Patient Safety and Education Centre
Best decorated – Emergency Department
Right plant right place – Theatres and Anaesthetics
Overall winner – Paediatrics
Most colourful – Pain Clinic
Best teamwork – Wolverton Centre
Wildlife friendly – Colposcopy and Radiology
Sustainability – Colposcopy and Radiology and Physiotherapy (joint winners)
Sustainability – Colposcopy and Radiology and Physiotherapy (joint winners)
Best cared for – Audiology
Best creative – Physiotherapy
Involvement of the department and patients – Speech and Language Therapy/OT

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