Physio says new rehab garden helps hospital patients return home with confidence

^{Leamington hospital physios Priti Mistry and Hannah Calvert working with patient Gail Copping in the rehab garden}

Lead physiotherapist Lucy Gwynne described the garden as ‘unique’ and said its design aims to improve the balance, mobility and confidence of patients in dealing with everyday hazards on foot and in wheelchairs.

The features of the garden, which opened on 18 September, are a slalom course, stepping stone path, uneven surface, bridge, activity board, wire loop challenge and cognitive therapy facilities.

A spokesperson for South Warwickshire NHS Trust said the garden complements the hospital’s existing rehabilitation programme, offering emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual support to patients.

Ms Gwynne said: ‘This unique, specialist rehabilitation course offers lots of benefits to our patients.

‘Tackling different surfaces can be very challenging, so it is really important we can support them in any way we can.

‘Thanks to this new garden, patients will have the skills and confidence they need to return home.’

Russell Hardy, chair of the trust, said that fundraising and the support of local organisations had made the garden, which would help make a real difference to the lives of patients, possible.