Rare diseases hub garden.jpgA new garden which provides patients with a calming space away from the hospital has opened.

The Roy Bard Rare Diseases Hub Garden is a dedicated area where patients visiting the Royal Free Hospital’s rare diseases hub, chemotherapy lounge and planned investigation treatment unit can pause and reflect.

Designed by the award-winning landscaper Kate Gould, the garden is a beautiful resource for our patients who often need some time away from the hospital setting when they are visiting us.

IMG_2767.JPGStaff including porters, domestics, administrative colleagues, doctors, and nurses who work in these areas are also welcome to visit the garden.

Andrew Symes, senior immunology clinical nurse specialist, and lead for the project, said: “A huge thank you to all my colleagues who helped create this space. We are incredibly grateful to the Roy Bard Charitable Foundation, immunology patient support group and Renate Shoshanah Hoffman, who is a supporter of the Royal Free Hospital, for their generosity."

Steve Spoerry, interim chief executive of the Royal Free Hospital said: “I am extremely grateful to Andrew Symes and the team for their commitment and for making this garden a reality. Patients visiting these areas often spend a large amount of time in the hospital and therefore, the environment that they are in makes a real difference to their experience. This space is somewhere they can go with their family and friends for a break.”

IMG_2744.JPGJon Spiers, chief executive of the Royal Free Charity said: “The Royal Free Charity works hand in hand with donors, and the Royal Free London to make a transformational difference to the experience of patients and staff, helping the NHS go further, faster than it could alone.

“We are thrilled to support this beautiful resource for patients, which will support their wellbeing, and give them a valuable space to pause, reflect, and take a breath during their treatment."

Our trust is one of the largest providers of cancer care in the UK and cancer is a key pillar of our clinical vision. Rare diseases is a local priority within our strategy for the Royal Free Hospital.