A NEW garden has been opened at Salisbury District Hospital to benefit stroke patients and those awaiting cancer treatment.

Patients now have a quiet area to relax and gather their thoughts following the completion of the landscaped courtyard garden between Farley Stroke Unit and the Oncology Outpatient Clinic.

The Pembroke Unit Garden, which cost £44,000, was made possible through donations to the Stars Appeal’s ward funds.

Rowena Ingram, who lives in Salisbury and has been receiving treatment at the hospital for leukaemia for the last two years, said: “It’s just wonderful to see the garden now. When you are in hospital for a long time, like a lot of haematology patients, it’s lovely to have a space to come to.

It is very important because it can get very depressing. I am sure it will be well used.”

The garden features two circular patios that can be approached by a smooth wheelchair- friendly pathway and a low wooden bridge. It is surrounded by carefully selected shrubs and flowers that have created a natural wildlife habitat.

Tamara Everington, consultant haematologist, said: “We see over 5,000 people a year in our oncology clinic and over 400 people a year are admitted to Farley Stroke Unit. This wonderful new garden will help provide a tranquil and relaxing area for both stroke patients and those who need to come in to be treated for cancer and other haematological disorders.

“We are enormously grateful to local people who support the Stars Appeal, whose donations have funded the creation of the garden. We are also grateful to Sister Carolyn Sawyer who led the redevelopment project and to Tina Crossley and the team of volunteers from Horatio’s Garden who helped with the design and planting.”

The Earl of Pembroke cut the ribbon and officially declared the garden open on Saturday afternoon. He said: “My father, who died of cancer, was very interested in the aftercare of patients, about the experience you have in hospital, and trying to get some outside space to see life beyond the ward.

“This is something he believed in so it is fantastic to come here to see the hospital coming up with new ideas, and seeing how the patients can benefit. It’s amazing what they have achieved.”