Undisclosed NHS Foundation Trust
South of England
The NHS Foundation Trust initiated a project to create usable space that was accessible 365 days per year at an acute male ward.
Project details
NHS Foundation Trust initiated a project to create useable outside space that was accessible 365 days per year at the Vaughan Thomas Acute Male Ward, Warneford Hospital in Oxford. The aim was to set a precedent for other trusts around the UK. Monies were secured through the corporate control board after several absconsions over the conservatory roof gave urgency to the project ahead of waiting for charitable funding.
Practical aspects were also a consideration, as the garden used to be a bland depressing area of land which gave no sense of calm or joy to the patients. The mud path was constantly walked into the ward and created a thankless never-ending job for the house keeping staff trying to keep the area clean and tidy.
The Trust wanted to provide a holistic solution which integrated both the hard landscaping and boundary products to maintain security and safety.
Hard landscaping incorporated rubberized chippings that are installed in depths to suit the Critical Fall Height required. This was laid to 150mm thickness to provide a critical fall height of 3ms. The material is completely secured by glue so there is no loss of rubberised particles. The surfacing is also adaptable enough to be fitted around features and furnishings included in the design. Artificial grass was also used bedded down on sand to give a soft landing if anyone falls on to it.
The trust saw that the option to print artwork onto the fence’s cloaking could be used to further enhance the scheme, supporting the aim to create an aesthetically pleasing, positive therapeutic environment for patients, who together with hospital staff provided feedback at weekly meetings on the proposals during both the design and installation process.
Sustainability was a major consideration alongside maintaining a natural feel; the rubberized chippings and artificial grass are made from recycled materials and flower beds and wooden seating are made from old sleepers. A bench, whittled from a 100-year-old oak which fell adjacent to the driveway, has also been added to the scheme.
The project was delivered within budget and handed over to the Trust by contractors, InsideOut in April 2024.
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