Three GP practices in Aberdeen have teamed up with RSPB Scotland, with support from Aberdeen City Council to roll out ‘Nature Prescriptions’, a pilot initiative designed to increase patients’ physical and mental health through a greater connection with local nature.
A ‘Nature Prescription’ is a guided conversation with a healthcare professional and patient which explores how wellbeing can be improved through a deeper connection with nature. Alongside the conversation, a ‘Nature Prescription Calendar’ is provided which contains seasonal activities, tailored to the local area.
The calendar was informed by a community co-creation session supported by Aberdeen City Council. Suggested activities include spending time in a favourite nature space close to home, looking for signs of changing seasons, and recording the nature you see through photos, drawings or writing.
Councillor Christian Allard, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council and Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said: “Research shows how spending time outdoors and being at one with nature helps people’s physical and mental wellbeing, which is why it is a key objective of Community Planning Aberdeen and the city’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP).
“By being part of RSPB Scotland’s Nature Prescriptions initiative, local GP Practices in Aberdeen can offer their patients the opportunity to connect with nature on their doorstep through a calendar of local events and activities. It’s a great initiative, which we hope more local GP Practices will sign up to.”
Dawn James, RSPB Scotland Community Engagement Officer, said: “With a growing body of evidence that nature connection is important for our health and wellbeing, taking time in nature can be crucial. RSPB Nature Prescriptions can help patients build their relationship with nature in a meaningful way to improve wellbeing with support from a healthcare professional.
“We are excited to be collaborating with GPs and Aberdeen City Council to deliver the project for people in the area. Included in the calendar are varied accessible activities which reflect nature and wildlife across Aberdeen which were informed by feedback from the local community. It’s encouraging to see nature have an increasing role in the toolkit of healthcare professionals across Scotland and we hope this will help many patients kickstart a stronger relationship with the nature around them to help better support their health.”
Dr Adrain Crofton, Lead Clinician, Torry Medical Practice said: "We have a wonderful resource of parks, woods, seashore and rivers in Aberdeen. We now know that even the smallest contact with nature, of being outside observing and appreciating plants, other creatures or the flow of the seasons is of incredible value to our health and sense of wellbeing.
“This locality-specific and user-friendly programme designed by RSPB Scotland is an excellent tool for us to give to patients who feel this might be something they would like to try but might not otherwise know where to start. The materials are of a high quality and very easy and fun to follow.
“The great advantage of the nature prescription is that it is all on your doorstep and is something that can help anyone at any stage of life, and it's free. In many ways, that makes it one of the best treatments we have".
A growing body of evidence finds that connection to nature can benefit physical and mental health in varied ways including reducing stress, boosting the immune system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved memory and concentration.
The Nature Prescription initiative was first trialled in Scotland in Shetland and in five GP practices across Edinburgh. 74% of patients who took part in the trial reported having benefitted and 91% of prescribing health professionals stated that they would continue to offer Nature Prescriptions. Since then, further trial schemes have been launched across Scotland including Orkney and Argyll and Bute, as well as in other parts of the UK.