Queen Camilla opened a 'wonderful' new rooftop hospital garden today, which will be used by patients being treated for serious brain injuries, tumours and strokes. Described as an innovative 'outdoor ward' that is hoped will aid their recovery, the garden has seen a previously inaccessible space transformed into a tranquil open-air oasis connected to the intensive care unit at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London.
Royal Visit to the Neurosurgery Ward
King Charles's wife was typically elegant in a navy, polka-dotted dress that she accessorised with a bracelet from her favourite jewellery brand, Van Cleef & Arpels. The queen also wore a pair of pearl drop earrings and finished her look with a gemstone pendant, as Camilla opted for a fuss-free and dewy makeup look.
Her Majesty, 78, was greeted by dozens of medical staff as she arrived at the McKissock Ward, a 21-bed Neurosurgery Ward, who clapped, cheered and filmed her on their mobile phones. 'Stepping out here in the fresh air, I'm sure all the patients here will get all the benefits,' Camilla said. Marvelling at the trees, shrubs, flowers and seating areas, she added: 'Many congratulations to everybody who has been involved. I can see the difference it makes…I'm sure all the patients here are going to benefit enormously from this. I think you've done a wonderful job…I am thrilled to be here to be able to open it.'
Interactions with Staff and Patients
She stopped to speak to many of them before heading outside to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit's balcony garden, where she had a jovial conversation with Ma Rube Simba, the ward's matron. Having heard that she 'runs a tight ship,' the Queen asked: 'Do you keep everybody in check?' The dozens of staffers gathered laughed heartily as the matron replied: 'I do.'
Outside, the Queen was introduced to Catherine Oppong-Barbo, one of St George's own brain surgery nurses, who is currently being treated in the ward she usually works in after suffering a brain haemorrhage two weeks ago. Camilla was shocked to hear this, telling her: 'Oh my goodness, I hope they are looking after you' before adding: 'You can see how it feels as a patient now.'
Ms Oppong-Barbo, who has worked as a neurosurgery nurse at St George's Hospital since 2017, told the Queen: 'The balcony is a haven for patients and their families - it's a space to connect while recovering.' She said afterwards: 'The balcony is a connection to the outside world after being beside lots of machines in intensive care, it makes it feel like I can breathe freely again.'
The Queen also met Joseph Kennedy, 63, who has been in the ward for 12 weeks and told her that being able to use the balcony 'is a lifeline'. 'It must be so lovely to be able to get outside and get some fresh air. It must make a big difference,' she said. Daisy Papel, the neurointensive care unit ward matron, told her: 'It's just like an escape from inside the unit.'
Purpose and Impact of the Garden
The matron, who has worked at the hospital for 24 years, explained how the purpose-built green space offers patients with complex brain injury, tumours or stroke – and their families – access to fresh air, natural light and the outside world while remaining safely within the hospital's expert clinical care. The garden was created through a partnership between the John King Brain Tumour Foundation and St George's Hospital Charity, transforming a previously unused space into an accessible roof garden, directly connected to the intensive care unit. For many critically ill patients, this was previously out of reach.
Though the space officially opened today, patients started using the garden three weeks ago. It aims to improve patient wellbeing, backed up by research which suggests that nature-based rehabilitation may help improve the impact of brain injury by improving motivation, regulating mood and improving sensory-motor and cognitive functions. The garden honours the life of John King, an internationally respected chef who was cared for by the team at St George's after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour in 2015. The opening marked 10 years since his passing.
Having spoken to some of the ward's patients, the Queen walked around the garden chatting to charity trustees and other healthcare professionals, hailing it as 'a beautiful place' that enables patients to stay in touch with the outside world. Having been presented with a bouquet and two clay statues of her dog, Moley, and her late dog, Bluebell, the Queen was then invited to unveil a plaque marking the visit.
