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Health and well-being took centre-stage at Hampton Court Garden Festival last week. Such a welcome focus by the RHS and the exhibitors after 18 months completely dominated worldwide by illness.
During this time, as a Doctor I've often been afraid of what each day at work will bring.
I've been devastated as I've lost both patients and colleagues to the virus.
Whilst I continue to look after patients with new Covid and Long Covid, I've also seen morbidity and mortality increase from collateral damage. From delayed presentation of cancers and other life-threatening illnesses. From physical disability escalating as hospital waiting lists for joint replacements and pain-relieving injections grow and grow. From fear.
I've seen lockdown's impact on social isolation and loneliness, contributing to mental health problems in all ages; but especially the very young and the very old.
I've seen obesity rates spiralling as many sports were prohibited, and as people's commute now is a shuffle across the landing,
And I'm seeing an epidemic of alcohol and substance misuse.
Indeed, in many ways we're now seeing more threats to health and well-being than we see from the virus itself.
And it's for these reasons that it was so welcome to see the focus on health and well-being through gardens and gardening.
Many of the Show Gardens focussed on disability, rehabilitation, connecting with nature, battling climate change, helping the lonely and isolated, and supporting those with mental and physical health problems.
There were also stimulating talks and forums from people who've led communities through gardening and horticulture. Resulting in a range of benefits - including affordable and sustainable food production, improved shared environments for them and their neighbours, and greater societal togetherness as well as well-being for individuals.
Re: Sixty seconds on . . . gardening
Dear Editor
Health and well-being took centre-stage at Hampton Court Garden Festival last week. Such a welcome focus by the RHS and the exhibitors after 18 months completely dominated worldwide by illness.
During this time, as a Doctor I've often been afraid of what each day at work will bring.
I've been devastated as I've lost both patients and colleagues to the virus.
Whilst I continue to look after patients with new Covid and Long Covid, I've also seen morbidity and mortality increase from collateral damage. From delayed presentation of cancers and other life-threatening illnesses. From physical disability escalating as hospital waiting lists for joint replacements and pain-relieving injections grow and grow. From fear.
I've seen lockdown's impact on social isolation and loneliness, contributing to mental health problems in all ages; but especially the very young and the very old.
I've seen obesity rates spiralling as many sports were prohibited, and as people's commute now is a shuffle across the landing,
And I'm seeing an epidemic of alcohol and substance misuse.
Indeed, in many ways we're now seeing more threats to health and well-being than we see from the virus itself.
And it's for these reasons that it was so welcome to see the focus on health and well-being through gardens and gardening.
Many of the Show Gardens focussed on disability, rehabilitation, connecting with nature, battling climate change, helping the lonely and isolated, and supporting those with mental and physical health problems.
There were also stimulating talks and forums from people who've led communities through gardening and horticulture. Resulting in a range of benefits - including affordable and sustainable food production, improved shared environments for them and their neighbours, and greater societal togetherness as well as well-being for individuals.
If readers want to find out what therapeutic or community gardens are available near to them, have a look at https://gardening4health.co.uk/ for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and
https://www.trellisscotland.org.uk/ for Scotland.
Gardening is good for you, your community, and your planet. Spread the word!
Richard Claxton
GP
Competing interests: No competing interests