JohnPlans for a community garden to help staff and patients at St James’s Hospital have been submitted to Leeds City Council.
A partnership between the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and the NHS has been formed to develop a healing space for staff, patients, and the local community in East Leeds.
A design report submitted with the application said the new garden would help ease stress among NHS workers.
It said: “Increasing demands strain healthcare workers, with two in five reporting work-related stress.
“Burnout hampers workforce retention, limiting efforts to boost NHS activity and address the care backlog.”
The RHS was brought in to create gardens at hospitals in England after staff faced stressful conditions during the Covid pandemic.
The St James’s garden would be located in the northern part of the grounds, near the existing trust headquarters building. A lawn, trees and seating are planned.
The design report said: “Gardening is associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, a stronger sense of community and even feelings of joy and higher life satisfaction.
“Being immersed in a garden is one evidence-based way to engage people in restorative well-being.”
East Side Story first reported on the garden last year.
