A new ramp, funded by the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital, has improved access for patients with mobility issues, to the therapeutic garden at Eastbourne DGH.
Harry Walmsley Chairman of Friends of Eastbourne Hospital and Rosy Shrubbs Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist by new ramp
Patients in wheelchairs can now more readily access the therapeutic garden as well enabling access to patients in their beds to get out into the fresh air to experience the benefits the garden has to offer. The Therapeutic garden can help people with chronic illness and disabilities. It offers many benefits including connecting with nature, social interaction, and learning new skills. Depending upon a patient’s illness or disability, the garden can help them to develop fine motor skills, deeper concentration, stamina, hand-eye coordination and a sense of independence and control.
Rosy Shrubbs, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist said: “A huge, heartfelt thank you to the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital for so generously funding this £3,000 project and for continuing to support the development of the garden. Despite several false starts the Therapeutic Garden now has the ramped access we have been dreaming off. Audrey Hepburn once said “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” and it is so true to see delight on patients faces when they get out into the fresh air to experience the sense of normality the garden has to offer. Now all we need is the sunshine.”
Harry Walmsley, Chairman of Friends of Eastbourne Hospital said: “We are pleased to be able to fund this new ramp which will enable so many more patients to enjoy the benefits this therapeutic garden offers. I have seen this garden develop and mature over time thanks to the commitment of Rosy and the team, it is such a tranquil space. A big thank you to all those who donate money to the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital who help make donations such as this possible.”