A peaceful space has opened at a Pembrokeshire hospital.

The Willow Garden, a peaceful area providing a sanctuary in nature for patients, staff, and visitors away from the busy hospital environment, has been officially opened at Withybush Hospital.

The project was funded by a Welsh Government ‘Local Places for Nature’ grant to the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership, with Pembrokeshire County Council overseeing the project.

The garden spans 2,500 square meters of accessible green space within the hospital grounds.

As part of the opening, Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB)’s chairperson, Dr Neil Wooding, planted a hawthorn tree at a ceremony attended by those involved in the project, as well as staff and patients from the hospital’s frailty unit.

Dr Neil Wooding said: "It is an honour to officially open the Willow Garden at Withybush Hospital.

"The garden is a wonderful addition to the hospital grounds, providing a sanctuary, respite and relaxation within nature for our staff, patients and visitors.

"As a health board we recognise the importance of improving the quality of the physical environments in which we work and provide care and increasing access to nature."

Dr Wooding also thanked everyone who was involved in creating the garden and hoped that visitors experience a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

Suzanne Tarrant, consultant clinical psychologist and head of the staff psychological wellbeing service for Hywel Dda UHB, added: "We are thrilled to officially open this natural space for staff, patients and visitors alike to step away from a sometimes stressful and unfamiliar hospital environment and reconnect with nature.

"Away from the noises and sights of the hospital, visitors and staff can walk these grounds, enjoy the lush plant life, listen to the bird song and find moments of restoration in nature."

In the coming weeks, hospital staff will also have the chance to create a communal piece of art, facilitated by willow artist Tina Cunningham from Ecolistic Artworks.

They will also create small willow pollinators to add to the garden.