How a great-grandad in intensive care inspired new patient garden at North Manchester General Hospital

A great-grandfather who came up with the idea of having a garden at a Greater Manchester hospital while staying there has officially opened the new green space.

Victor Lund, from Failsworth, said the new garden for patients and staff on the intensive care unit (ICU) at North Manchester General Hospital was “magical”.

He discussed the idea of having an outdoor space while he spent around two months on the ICU, and now his vision for somewhere people can go to enjoy a bit of the outdoors while in the hospital environment has become a reality.

How was the garden created and what has the reaction been?

Victor, who is 77, spent 64 days on the ICU at the Manchester hospital after contracting severe pneumonia. While he was recovering from his illness he spoke to Allison Keegan, an advanced critical care practitioner at the Crumpsall health facility, about creating a garden for patients and staff to enjoy.

Allison got colleagues and supporters involved in the project and with the help of organisations including contractors working on a new development at the hospital was able to turn the idea for Victor’s garden into a reality. And there was only one person who was going to be asked to do the unveiling honours at the official opening of the new space.

Victor, who became a great-grandfather in August with the birth of little Olivia, was thrilled with the garden his conversations with Allison had inspired, describing the space as “magical”.

He said: “I just wanted to go out into the garden and feel the air and breeze through my hair. You can’t beat the fresh air - it makes you feel so much better - I think it’s a magical garden.

“I want to thank everyone for letting me open the ICU garden which will benefit patients recovering from their trauma, along with the staff. I would like to thank the staff in ICU who all saved my life. Words can never be enough for everything they did to keep me alive.

“I’d like to give a special thank you to Allison Keegan, who took me outside of ICU - it always made my day and made me want to get better. Being able to open the garden with Allison was a dream come true - thanks for making it all happen!”

The new garden has also been warmly welcomed by the hospital and its staff.

Allison said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to get to the end of the ICU garden project. There’s lots of evidence that being outside helps patients become less confused and can also reduce the length of stay. It really does help with patients’ morale - if they have been inside for weeks and weeks then there is a massive difference to their well-being when they can go outside.”

Kathy Cowell, chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust which is responsible for the hospital, added: “It was humbling to attend the opening ceremony with former patients, their families, staff and supporters. Allison’s work to bring people together in partnership to bring Victor’s dream to life really reflects our values - putting our patients at the heart of everything we do. This is a fantastic resource for patients and staff alike.”