King's College Hospital Opens UK's First Rooftop ICU
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- King's College Hospital opened the UK's first rooftop intensive‑care ward, a six‑patient outdoor area with waterproof power and oxygen boxes.
- Hollie Allan (29) became the first patient to spend time on the new ward after two months in ICU, still on feeding tubes and life support.
- Phil Hopkins (intensive‑care consultant) says the ward aims to help patients readjust after long stays and will monitor heart rate, respiratory rate and pain to assess recovery benefits.
- Sarah Price (garden designer) created the canopy‑covered rooftop to expose critically ill patients to natural elements, which research links to faster healing.
- King's College Hospital will allow intensive‑care staff to use the rooftop for breaks, giving them a dedicated respite area.
Why it matters: Critically ill patients receive fresh‑air exposure while staying on life‑support, which can shorten hospital stays, and staff gain a rooftop break space, boosting morale and improving care quality.
