Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Whipsnade Zoo and St John Ambulance have formed a partnership to provide long-term ICU patients with therapeutic visits to the zoo as part of their rehabilitation.
The first patient to visit the zoo was a ten-month ICU patient named Andy.
After his visit to the zoo, Andy said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt safe with the staff there, and it was good for my mental wellbeing.”
The initiative is the first-of-its-kind for the Trust, designed to support emotional wellbeing and encourage gentle physical activity and a change of environment for patients who have spent extended periods of time in critical care.
“We’ve seen the incredible impact these rehabilitation trips have had on our ICU patients and their families. Being able to spend time outside the hospital, reconnect with nature and share meaningful moments together supports not only physical recovery but emotional healing too,” said Sarah Shipley, Matron for the ICU.
The Trust will continue to work closely with ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and St John Ambulance to develop the programme further, ensuring more patients can benefit from therapeutic experiences that support their recovery beyond the hospital walls.
“Even in these early visits, we’ve seen how time spent in nature can support recovery and reconnection. Being surrounded by wildlife and open space offers moments of calm, joy and togetherness that can mean so much during recovery,” said Patrick Conlon, Head of Health and Wellbeing Programmes at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
In other parts of the country, Trust’s are turning to the powerful benefits of animals to support the wellbeing of patients.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust introduced “Pets as Therapy” (PAT), a charity that enlists volunteers to visit healthcare centres across the UK with their pets to help alleviate patient anxiety, loneliness and depression.
Studies have shown that the presence of companion animals can decrease loneliness and improve mood, comfort and relaxation for patients.