The critical care roof garden at King's College Hospital is now hosting weekly music therapy sessions, offering patients an outdoor therapeutic environment. Previously held in the hospital Chapel, the sessions can now take place outside in the newly designed space, which opened earlier this year.
This garden allows patients to remain connected to essential life-support equipment while enjoying the outdoors. It is currently being utilised by staff and patients for physiotherapy, quiet reflection, family visits, and music therapy. The Critical Care team believes the garden plays a vital role in improving physical, psychological, and cognitive recovery, helping patients regain independence and return home sooner.
Music therapy is offered to patients in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) and other areas of the hospital. Dr Tom Best, Clinical Director of King’s Critical Care, highlighted the garden's benefits, stating, “The music therapy sessions can be incredibly powerful, helping people reconnect with memories, emotions, and their loved ones. Seeing patients smile, sing along and, in some cases, reconnecting and having deeply emotional responses highlights the enormously positive impact music therapy can have.“
Music therapy, an evidence-based psychological therapy delivered by qualified healthcare professionals, uses live music and musical interaction to support patients' needs. Staff have observed that patients participating in these sessions often feel less anxious and more engaged with other therapies, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
The experience is often deeply emotional, with patients and family members listening, singing along, and using percussion instruments. Familiar songs can prompt powerful memories and feelings of connection. The service is funded by the King’s College Hospital Charity, supported by fundraising activities from staff, former patients, and their families.
One patient, Leo, who was recovering from a road traffic accident, expressed his enjoyment: “I loved all the new Irish songs I heard! I love music and I love being outside. I will come as many times as I can to these sessions.” His mother, Anna, added, “It’s a miracle Leo is here. We have everything to thank the hospital for.”
Music therapist and conductor Andrew Moore, part of Anchor Music Therapy, leads sessions, taking requests and encouraging participation. He stated, “I love music, and what I value most is using it to help people become the best versions of themselves. People here at King’s have been really unwell, and I help them see what they can do, rather than what they can’t. That might be playing an instrument, singing along, or rediscovering abilities they thought they had lost.“
Andrew Moore further commented on the unifying power of music, noting, “Music brings people together. Recently, a mother joined one of our sessions with her newborn baby, and it was lovely to see them share that moment of connection. Whether it’s helping someone move, use their speech or simply reconnect with themselves, music can create moments that are incredibly powerful. The Critical Care garden provides a wonderful setting for those moments to happen.”
The roof garden was funded by a £2 million donation from King’s College Hospital Charity, with additional support from the Trust. The charity aims to improve patient experience and support innovation at King's.
At the end of a recent session, patients and family members showed their appreciation with applause. Responding to the applause, Andrew Moore remarked, “You don’t need to clap me. We’re all in the same band here.”
