Sustainable approach helps both patients and the planet

LITTER-PICKING and gardening for patients are just some of the ways an innovative award winning health worker is mixing patients' therapy and the environment.

- JAMES ARNOTT

Wales's new sustainable champion is helping Swansea Bay's patients look after themselves and their environment at the same time.

The health board's occupational therapist team lead Annie Hill supports adult mental health patients with their recovery and rehabilitation, and is using her passion for sustainability as a way of delivering healthcare which is also kinder to the planet.

Annie's ideas have been noted by fellow health providers around the UK, and she has also been recognised at the NHS Wales Sustainability Awards - winning the Sustainability Champion Wales Award.

The role of occupational therapists includes using a number of interventions to help patients in their recovery, including developing independent living skills, addressing vocational needs and increasing structure and routine through engagement in meaningful activities.

Annie's sustainable approach has identified an opportunity to use the region's landscape as a way of providing holistic care that is also benefiting the local area.

Annie, along with her colleagues in occupational therapy, have championed therapeutic groups to help drive engagement and achievements of patients.

Litter picking in local parks and beaches and planting flowers and growing crops at an agriculture project in Morriston have been among the successful initiatives helping patients boost their confidence and wellbeing, while helping the environment around them.