Katie Fisher, a Therapeutic Radiographer, developed the initiative through her NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC) Rapid Evidence Conversion Summaries (RaCES) internship, working with colleagues across radiotherapy, Macmillan Cancer Support UK, Rosemere Cancer Foundation, the Trust’s sustainability team, and patient representatives.

Seeing how much her patients benefited from spending time outdoors, Katie explored how nature‑based activities could support people receiving radiotherapy – an area with little existing evidence. The result is a series of practical, low‑cost interventions now in place at the Royal Preston Hospital site, including:

• Walking routes around the hospital with QR‑linked mindfulness exercises
• Seed swaps to encourage gardening, social connection and outdoor activity
• Nature imagery and window wraps in treatment spaces
• Information boards promoting local green spaces and activities

Katie says these simple changes are already helping reduce stress, tackle social isolation and improve overall wellbeing:

“As radiographers, we see patients every day for weeks at a time. These small opportunities to connect with nature can make a real difference.”

Katie’s work, supported by ARC NWC mentors, shows how frontline staff can use research to drive practical, sustainable improvements in patient experience – offering a model that could be replicated in radiotherapy departments across the UK.

Read the full article here: https://arc-nwc.nihr.ac.uk/news/radiographer-katie-fishers-green-prescribing-project-brings-fresh-air-to-cancer-care/