Cornish nurse collects construction award for hospital ‘healing’ garden
A critical care nurse was among the trust team that last night won an award for its innovative community construction project.
The Critical Care Healing Garden at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) was named Community Engagement Project of the Year at the 20224 Construction News Awards in London.
“Winning this award means a huge amount to our critical care team”
Lisa Niemand
Critical care matron Lisa Niemand, along with Roberta Fuller, associate director for major capital projects, picked up the award on behalf of the trust at the awards ceremony on Thursday evening.
The garden was opened in September 2023 after an extensive fundraising campaign led by Cornish explorer Sir Robin-Hanbury Tenison alongside the RCHT Charity team and critical care team.
Funded entirely by charitable donations, the courtyard can accommodate two hospital beds, as well as other critically-ill patients in wheelchairs, alongside their carers, families, and even pets.
On most days, the trust said the garden accommodated up to four patients, helping them to cope with their treatment and rehabilitation.
It is also one of the first gardens in the UK to be fitted with piped medical gases, making it accessible to even the most poorly of patients, who can experience the outdoors and nature for their recovery.
The garden was designed by the Cornwall-based landscape architect, Lavigne Lonsdale, with extensive input from patients and staff.
Ms Niemand said: “Winning this award means a huge amount to our critical care team.
“It recognises the input and collaboration of the whole community – patients, families, RCHT staff, contractors and suppliers, artists, fundraisers, and more!” she said.
“This journey and garden wouldn’t have been achieved without everyone working together and combining clinical need with hospital constraints to deliver our outstanding healing garden.”
Ms Fuller added: “It’s amazing to win this award for our Critical Care Healing Garden. It’s been a true community effort.”
The prestige Construction News Awards showcase and celebrate the very best projects, contractors and businesses in the UK construction sector.
In their summing up, the judges said of the Critical Care Healing Garden: “This project really spoke and connected to the community and helped the construction industry to think outside of the box.”
Construction News is a sister title of Nursing Times, both of which are owned and published by emap.
Critical Care Healing Garden at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Critical Care Healing Garden from above
