An NHS hospital has opened what is described as the first critical care unit in Britain located on a hospital roof, aiming to use the outdoor environment to support patient recovery. According to the report, the rooftop ward is designed as a garden space and includes features intended to provide fresh air and a more restorative setting. The ward incorporates plants, including scented plants, as part of the planned environment for patients receiving critical care.
The unit is presented as having six beds. The garden design is credited to Sarah Price, a three-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist, whose work is said to shape the layout and appearance of the rooftop ward.
The available reporting focuses on the concept and design details, rather than providing outcomes data or clinical evidence. It also does not specify the hospital’s name, the patient groups treated, or the duration of the initiative. Overall, the sources describe the rooftop unit’s purpose and its garden-based design intended to improve the patient experience and recovery environment.
