Western General Hospital

The Western General Hospital is an acute hospital with a range general and specialist services. The grounds and gardens are made up of network of mature trees and small greenspaces that provide a respite from the busy hospital and a home for nature.

The hospital has around 570 beds (including day beds) and is home to the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, the Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, and the award-winning, nurse-led Minor Injuries Clinic. A new state-of-the-art Renal Dialysis Unit and the Edinburgh Haematology Centre also occupy the site, both of which were enhanced by funding and Art and Therapeutic Design Project collaborations between NHS Lothian and NHS Lothian Charity.

Working together with staff on site, we support the delivery of Green Health solutions that help improve health and wellbeing and increase biodiversity on site.

Explore the Western General

Just 5-minutes spent immersed in nature can lift your mood, clear your mind, and give you more energy. Mindfulness, the practice of paying attention to the present moment, can help us find connection to nature as it allows us to take a step back from racing thoughts and notice all of the sensory experiences in greenspaces. Each season offers different colours, smells, and sounds which when tuned into, can help us feel present and connected to the natural world.

It can feel difficult to find these mindful moments around a hospital, but hospital gardens offer the perfect oasis to take a moment for yourself and an escape from the stresses of hospital life. Research has shown that spending time in hospital gardens can reduce mental fatigue and stress, and improve overall mood.

Here are just a few of the greenspaces you can find around the site:

1. FACE Garden

This garden provides a place to breathe just a stone’s throw from the busy outpatient services. The water feature and natural planting create a soothing environment and food for birds and bees. It is a place to stop and rest. 

2. Amanda’s Garden

Surrounded by mature trees, this is a haven from the hustle and bustle of the hospital. With lots of seating, it is an ideal place to take a break surrounded by nature in a calm and tranquil environment.

We have created a 5-minute audio-guided mindful walk around Amanda’s Garden at the Western General Hospital to help staff, patients, and visitors to the hospital find those moments of mindfulness in nature. All you need is your phone, some headphones, and 5-minutes in the garden. This is designed to be listened to throughout the seasons and taken at any pace. Although it guides you to walk around the garden, the mindful activities can also be done sitting down. It will give you some ideas of how to take notice of different sensory elements, tune into your breathing, and find relaxation while in the garden. If you have any feedback about the audio-guided walk we’d love to hear it! Please get in touch.

3. Maggie’s Garden

The friendly welcoming garden at the Edinburgh Maggie’s Centre is open to all and is full of colour all year round. The garden is an extension of the kitchen table to allow people to sit outside and connect with each other. 

4. Royal Victoria Building Garden

In the heart of the Royal Victoria Building, the garden overflows with ox-eye daisies in the summer months. Important pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths and insects love these large wild flowers.

Click on the image below to download our Wildlife at the Western map