King's College Hospital in South London has opened the first therapeutic roof garden for critically ill patients, aiming to improve their well-being and recovery. The Critical Care Roof Garden, located on the hospital's Denmark Hill campus, can accommodate up to six beds, allowing patients to experience the healing benefits of nature while receiving safe outdoor care.
Year-Round Access and Design
The garden is accessible throughout the year, thanks to specially designed weatherproof medical cabinets that provide power, data, and medical gas supplies similar to those in the hospital's 60-bed indoor critical care unit. This innovation enables continuous monitoring and treatment in an outdoor setting.
Addressing ICU Delirium
Many critical care patients suffer from ICU delirium, a condition characterized by confusion, hallucinations, and distorted reality, affecting up to 80% of patients and slowing recovery. Dr. Tom Best, Clinical Director of King's Critical Care, explained that the environment and strong sedatives contribute to this condition. He noted that even simple exposure to fresh air or sunlight can be pivotal in a patient's recovery.
Research and Benefits
Dr. Best and his team will use the garden to study how fresh air, greenery, and sunlight reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve well-being for patients, families, and staff. They will assess whether access to the garden reduces hospital stays and improves long-term outcomes. Dr. Best stated, "I am confident this is going to reduce people's length of stay in hospital. It'll improve their outcomes and mental state."
Funding and Collaboration
The project, 15 years in the making, was funded by a £2 million donation from King's College Hospital Charity and additional support from the NHS Foundation Trust. Iona Joy, Director of Grants and Insight at the charity, highlighted the innovative partnership, saying, "This is an example of where a charity can really add value."
Garden Design
The garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Nigel Dunnett, who passed away in April 2026, and British garden designer Sarah Price, a three-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist. It features aromatic plants like rosemary, sage, and oregano, along with native species and tactile plants such as lamb's ear, creating a low-maintenance space that encourages active engagement.
Hospital Leadership
Professor Clive Kay, CEO of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, described the garden as an important milestone dedicated to patients with serious conditions. "It's been built with purpose and guided by the needs of patients and their families, reflecting a deep commitment to dignity, support, and hope," he said.
Part of a Larger Centre
The Critical Care Roof Garden completes the King's Critical Care Centre, one of the largest intensive care facilities in the UK and possibly Europe, supporting over 5,000 patients and 15,000 loved ones annually. In 2023, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust opened a similar rehabilitation garden, which won a Construction News Award in 2024.
