A Norfolk hospital is building a dementia-friendly garden to provide a safe outdoor space.

It will be used by patients, carers and staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

Set to be finished in July, the garden will be accessible for all patients including those in beds and wheelchairs.

The hospital hopes it will help people living with dementia enjoy socialising and taking part in physical activity to stimulate their senses and memories and boost their wellbeing.

The £45,000 garden is being funded by the QEHKL Charity with an additional £5,000 from the QEH League of Friends, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this July.

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Eastern Daily Press: Steve Adcock starts work on the dementia-friendly garden at the QEHSteve Adcock starts work on the dementia-friendly garden at the QEH (Image: QEHKL)

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QEH building manager Steve Adcock, who is overseeing the project, said: “It’s been great to start this important work during Dementia Action Week. I look forward to welcoming our patients into the garden for the summer months.”

Penny Hipkin, chair of the League of Friends, added: “The league is delighted to be involved in the creation of this important outside space and we can’t wait to see it develop.”

The garden is one of a number of projects under way as part of a wider focus on dementia.

The QEHKL Charity has raised £40,000 for items including mood-boosting activity packs and touchscreen devices.

Now it hopes to raise an additional £40,000 for even more therapies that are not currently funded by the NHS.

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Eastern Daily Press: Lydia Radford on her stall in the QEH foyer Lydia Radford on her stall in the QEH foyer (Image: QEHKL)

During Dementia Action Week, the QEHKL Charity fundraising team has been raising awareness and speaking to members of the public and patients about the work happening at the Trust.

Lydia Radford, QEH fundraising support officer, who hosted a special stand in the hospital foyer, said: “It has been great to meet some patients and their loved ones this week.

"With the support of our local community, we can provide a more comfortable environment for our patients living with dementia to ensure they have the best possible hospital stay.”