A hospital garden is set for a new and improved look in a Suffolk town.
Beccles Hospital in St Marys Road, which is run by East Coast Community Healthcare, is involved in talks about an “enhanced” garden space for patients, families, and staff to use.
The idea was originally conceived by equipment administrator, Ashley Langer, and his colleague Rachel Browne and comes as the site celebrates in centenary.
The first phase of the project will include movable planting screens to ensure privacy for those using the garden and plants specifically chosen for their sensory impact in terms of smells and colours.
The long grass bank at the rear of the garden will be cultivated and planted to attract wildlife with “all year round” planting to create flowering and foliage throughout the seasons.
The first phase is estimated to cost approximately £6,000.
The second phase which is looking to create a separate memorial garden is estimated to cost a further £6,000.
With early fundraising by staff members including bake sales and other fundraising events, the project has raised £10,000 so far.
The team has received donations from the hospital’s League of Friends, local businesses, and individuals for which they are “extremely grateful”.
The project will now begin in the spring.
Mr Langer said: “Beccles Hospital has been a central part of the town for 100 years and we want to do our bit to continue its legacy, as its current stewards.
“We truly hope everyone will feel the wellbeing benefits of this garden – patients, their families and our busy colleagues.”
The garden is overlooked by the Minsmere ward, where ECCH in partnership with St Elizabeth Hospice provides specialist palliative care with six beds.
The rest of the ward is an intermediate care ward for patients who have been discharged from acute hospitals, but are too unwell to return home.
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