The Willow Garden at Withybush Hospital has been officially opened. It’s a peaceful, green space offering a sanctuary in nature for patients, staff and visitors away from the busy hospital environment.

To mark the official opening at the Haverfordwest hospital, Hywel Dda UHB’s Chair Dr Neil Wooding planted a hawthorn tree in the garden at a ceremony attended by those who helped bring the garden to life, alongside staff and patients from the hospital’s frailty unit.

The garden covers 2,500 square meters of accessible green space in the hospital grounds and was funded by a Welsh Government ‘Local Places for Nature’ grant to the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership, with delivery of the project by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Dr Neil Wooding said: “The garden is a wonderful addition to the hospital grounds, providing a sanctuary, respite and relaxation within nature for our staff, patients and visitors.

“As a health board we recognise the importance of improving the quality of the physical environments in which we work and provide care and increasing access to nature. “Improving the green spaces in and around our community and hospital sites will bring benefits to staff, patients, visitors, local communities and the natural living world.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in bringing this garden to fruition and hope those who visit experience a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.”

Over the coming weeks, hospital staff will have the opportunity to create a communal piece of art, facilitated by willow artist Tina Cunningham from Ecolistic Artworks, as well as well as the creation of small, willow pollinators to add to the garden.

Also present at the opening ceremony, Suzanne Tarrant, Head of the Staff Psychological Wellbeing Service for Hywel Dda UHB, said: “There is a wealth of evidence showing how our health and wellbeing can be improved by spending time in nature and improving the quality and biodiversity of our natural environment.

“Away from the noises and sights of the hospital, visitors and staff can walk these grounds, enjoy the lush plant life, listen to the bird song and find moments of restoration in nature.”