How can a Natural Health Service help the National Health Service?

The NHS is entering a new era. Recent announcements about having more services closer to where people live and tackling preventable illnesses are promising, but there is a missing piece - without more ambition for the role of nature in healthy neighbourhoods, the change will be slower and more costly in economic, human and environmental terms. 

The success of the world-leading Green Prescribing for Mental Health programme helped over 8000 people with their mental health, particularly those suffering with anxiety and depression. It also generated a return on investment of £2.42 per £1 invested by HM Treasury. How can we have this available everywhere in the NHS?

Wider coverage could help address the fact that currently, 38% of people in England do not have access to nature within a 15 minute walk of home. It is not clear if and how the UK Government will meet its commitment to ensure all people live within a 15 minute walk of a high quality green or blue space, with all the health benefits such access provides.

Our expert panel will explore the solutions that connect nature, people and communities, which are so urgently needed.