Bolsover Street Royal Outpatient Asssessment Centre, part of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in London, joined the NHS Forest in 2011. In March of that year, local community tree planting initiative W1W planted trees and improved the area around the hospital.
National gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh took part of the ‘greening’ of this historic Fitzrovia Street, digging in the last of 48 trees planted around the site of the recently rebuilt Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. The trees were planted as part of the NHS Forest project.
Alan Titchmarsh was joined by local school children, patients and staff from the hospital, as well as the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Judith Warner, who unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. The trees will soften Bolsover Street’s tough, hard-built environment as they grow. They will support the community’s efforts to line the entire length of the street with trees, creating a green pedestrian corridor from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital to Regent’s Park. The project also returns two elm trees to the street, last present in the 1850s.
Helen Duncan, senior sister, said: “Planting trees along Bolsover Street has enhanced our outlook from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital’s Outpatient Assessment Centre. Working in an environment where there is some greenery is a big improvement to our surroundings, which will not only benefit our staff but patients visiting the centre as well.”
“We are delighted that the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital has joined the NHS Forest project. Not only is this good for patients and staff at Bolsover Street, we hope this captures the imagination of communities in the area and sparks further tree planting at healthcare sites across London.”
– Rachel Stancliffe, Director, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare
One patient commented that “It’s refreshing to have trees breaking-up the street scene, particularly in a built-up area.”
The project was made possible through the generous support of the W1W Tree Planting Initiative made up of local residents, medical practices and businesses; Westminster Tree Trust; and Westminster City Council.
Read more about the W1W initiative and the Bolsover Street tree planting event here.
