Nature & Biodiversity

Nature & Biodiversity

NHSScotland has a valuable and significant outdoor estate.  We also have a legal duty and responsibility to protect and enhance our outdoor estate for the benefit of nature and biodiversity (all living things). There is a wealth of good quality evidence demonstrating the positive impact that contact with nature can have on physical and mental health.

Nature & Biodiversity CASE STUDIES

NHS AYRSHIRE & ARRAN – AYR GREEN GYM

To support as many people as possible to access the grounds of University Hospital Ayr and Ailsa Hospital, NHS Ayrshire and Arran employed a member of staff to develop and run a ‘Green Gym’ on site.

Download

NHS AYRSHIRE & ARRAN – AYR GREEN GYM

The first Green Gym began January 2017 and a second in summer 2017. These combine green exercise with learning and outdoor activity across 2 regular session per week. It involves a variety of practical education and conservation tasks, along with exercise. It is free and open to patients, staff, visitors and the wider community.

Download

POLICY DOCUMENTS

NHS Lothian Sustainable Development Framework and Action Plan

Working with partners Greenspace Scotland, in a project funded by Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, NHS Lothian commissioned research consultants Natural Capital Solutions to conduct a Biodiversity Audit and Climate Change Assessment. This Audit will help NHS Lothian realise the full potential of its estate, not only as an environmental asset but also as an amenity offering heath benefits to the community. This work also provides NHS Lothian with a means of identifying how best to manage its green spaces to meet its ambitious sustainability goals and commitments.

NHS Orkney Biodiversity Duty Report 2018-2020

NHS Orkney takes a proactive role in meeting its responsibility towards furthering the conservation of biodiversity. We do not use pesticides and we sustainably manage waste. Across our estate maintenance of lawns and greens has a two tier approach. We identify areas of lawn which need to be kept cut regularly such as adjacent to high traffic routes, areas where external access/amenity is required and more marginal areas where grass can be left to grow longer.

NHS Lothian Biodiversity Duty Report 2018-2020

The area of urban greenspace across Edinburgh and the Lothians totals over 220 square kilometres including parks, playing fields, amenity spaces, gardens, woodlands and natural areas. The four local authorities have published Open Space Strategies setting out priorities for improving the provision, quality, access and management of green and open spaces. The NHS Lothian Greenspace and Health Strategic Framework sets the vision, strategic objectives and priorities for the NHS estate, publicly accessible greenspaces and greenspace based activities that support health and wellbeing.

PARTNER RESOURCES

Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity includes 20 time-bound, measurable targets to be met by the year 2020

View resource

Scotland’s biodiversity: a route map to 2020

This route map sets out the priority work needed to meet the international Aichi Targets for biodiversity and improve the state of nature in Scotland.

View resource

NHS Greenspace in Scotland

The Green Exercise Partnership (GEP) is a joint venture between Forestry Commission Scotland, NHS Health Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

View resource

Biodiversity Duty Reporting in Scotland

Complying with the biodiversity duty

View resource

RELATED NEWS

News

01 April NHS Lothian publishes groundbreaking biodiversity audit

NHS Lothian is the first health board in Scotland to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the biodiversity of the green spaces in its estate. The move is part of an…

EXPLORE OTHER KEY AREAS