The new roof top Critical Care Recovery Garden at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy has been officially opened.
Funded by Fife Health Charity, the £180,000 project transformed an existing vacant roof space next to ICU to create a dedicated garden area for the use of ICU patients, their loved ones and staff. It would not have been possible without the generosity of two anonymous benefactors who made a significant donation to the charity to support NHS Fife’s staff and patients. The project reflects Fife Health Charity’s core aim to enhance the wellbeing of those who rely on and work for NHS Fife.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought many healthcare issues to the fore including the positive benefits that spending time outdoors brings to physical and mental health wellbeing. The creation of the welcoming and attractive outdoor space offers ICU patients and their loved ones a peaceful haven that can be accessed and enjoyed at any time of day, all year round, and a respite for staff during their breaks.
Declaring the Critical Care Recovery Garden officially open and paying tribute to the donors who made the project possible, Chair of Fife Health Charity, Tricia Marwick, said:
“The work and growing impact of Fife Health Charity is made possible by the tremendous generosity and kindness of the charity’s donors. Many wish to recognise the quality of NHS Fife care and support given by staff when people are often at their most vulnerable and even when circumstances are challenging, as they were during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are grateful for every donation the charity receives. Large and small, each donation enables us to continue to support exciting initiatives like the roof garden and make a real difference to the experience and wellbeing of people visiting ICU and the unit’s staff during what can often be stressful and uncertain times.”
< ENDS >
Notes to Editors:
Fife Health Charity is the strategic charity partner of NHS Fife. It aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the people of Fife through funding and grants that support projects that are not normally funded by the NHS.
During the last financial year, 2021-22, Fife Health Charity awarded 134 grants totalling over £3 million to support NHS Fife patients and staff.
Serving the population of Fife, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, is the only critical care unit in the Kingdom and admits around 400 critically ill patients annually.
Photo Captions:
Photo 1:
Official opening of the roof top Critical Care Recovery Garden, ICU, Victoria Hospital (L-R) Dr Lucy Hogg, Consultant, ICU and Anaesthesia, NHS Fife; Cicely Leeuwenberg, Garden Designer; Tricia Marwick, Chair, Fife Health Charity, Margo McGurk, Director, Finance & Strategy.
Photo 2:
Victoria Hospital ICU staff at the official opening of the new roof top Critical Care Recovery Garden supported by Fife Health Charity.
Remaining Photos:
NHS Fife and Fife Health Charity staff and guests enjoying the newly opened roof top Critical Care Recovery Garden ICU, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.
