Tranquil new garden at NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Kyle Chemotherapy Unit

Patients attending the Kyle Chemotherapy Unit at Ailsa Hospital are now enjoying the benefits of a new garden after the ward applied to the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Community Wealth Building programme for assistance in making their green plans a reality.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran has included a community benefit requirement into its procurement contracts and tenders since 1 April 2023 to help deliver a wide range of economic, social and environmental benefit projects in Ayrshire and Arran.

Officially opened on 4 July 2025, the garden space at Kyle Chemotherapy Unit has been redeveloped through community benefit funding provided by Hewlett Packard Inc and designed by RePollinate, a conservation charity which aims to create networks of high-quality pollinator habitats through delivery of new community gardens spaces.

Deputy Charge Nurse Wendy Ruiz de Pascal from NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Kyle Chemotherapy Unit said, “The garden space is a truly relaxing, calming space. We are incredibly grateful to all the hard work from everyone involved.

“We were keen to put some fresh life back into the garden area at the ward so patients and their loved ones could make use of the space while attending here for treatment and I think the space speaks for itself.”

Nicola Graham, Director of Infrastructure and Support Services for NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: “This is the latest example of ongoing partnership work across NHS Ayrshire & Arran and how we can utilise public procurement partnerships in NHS Scotland, to achieve greater economic, social and environmental benefits for those living in Ayrshire and Arran.

“We’re delighted with the end results, for the funding support from Hewlett Packard Inc. and the help and support received from all organisations involved.”

Kyle Chemotherapy Unit new garden now benefits from the addition of new raised beds, corten steel planters, additional paving and gravel paths, planted with a range of low maintenance trees, shrubs, herbs and perennials all of which will increase biodiversity and attract pollinators to the garden. It also includes four colourful steel artwork panels, ‘Light Through Leaves’, funded by Hewlett Packard Inc. and commissioned by an artist through Impact Arts, after engaging with patients from Kyle Chemotherapy Unit who were able to add their design ideas for the creation of the panels.

Nicholas Macauley, Strategic Account Manager for Hewlett Packard Inc said, “We are delighted to support projects like this in Ayrshire. Our partnership with the Scottish Government through our framework agreements enables us to deliver meaningful and lasting sustainability projects to benefit local communities. HP Inc. is committed to delivering projects of similar significance to our communities across Scotland.”

Nick Trull, from RePollinate added, “RePollinate has aimed to create a space that immerses users in the planting and, importantly, the wildlife that will share the garden, such as pollinating insects and birds. The design introduces diverse structure into the space both in terms of the tiered raised beds and the planting itself, which includes grasses, herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs.

“We hope that the garden at Kyle Chemotherapy Unit will provide a calming space for patients and their families, and will do so for many years to come.”

South Ayrshire Council Criminal Justice unpaid workers shaped the garden at weekends under guidance from RePollinate to help bring about the transformation of the current outdoor garden into a new fully accessible area for the patients of Kyle Chemotherapy Unit.

Councillor Hunter, Portfolio Holder for Health and Care Services for South Ayrshire Council said, “The Community Justice Unpaid Work Team were delighted to be part of this project. It has provided a valuable opportunity for the team to develop new skills, build confidence, and make a positive contribution to the community.”

“The finished garden is a beautiful area for patients, families and staff to enjoy, promoting wellbeing and a sense of calm. The South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership is incredibly proud of what the team has achieved, it is a great example of how Community Payback can make a real difference.”