'I forgot what it's like to be outside': Intensive care ward opens on rooftop

'I forgot what it's like to be outside': Intensive care ward opens on rooftopPublished29 May 2026ByVicki LoaderHealth producerHollie Allan, 29, is in a hospital lift being transferred out of intensive care for the first time in two months. She's heading upwards, towards a new outdoor ward on the roof of the hospital."Brace yourself for the cold!" say the nurses crowded into the lift around her bed. As the doors open, sunshine hits Hollie's face. She brightens into a smile, then tears come. "I'm sorry, it's so nice. It's so beautiful," she says wiping her eyes. "I forgot what it feels like to be outside."Still in her hospital bed, connected to feeding tubes and life support, Hollie is the first patient to try out the new intensive care rooftop ward at King's College Hospital in south London.The first of its kind in the UK, the outdoor ward has enough space for six patients, who can be connected to power and oxygen supplies housed in a waterproof box next to each bed. The canopy design means that some of the most seriously ill patients can be cared for safely outdoors, with all the support they need.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Watch: Hollie wipes away tears as she sees sky for the first time in monthsExposure to fresh air and nature can boost patient wellbeing and reduce time spent in hospital, research suggests. Hospital gardens have been around for some time for that reason - but they are rarely able to meet the needs of critically ill patients.Doctors at King's say there could be huge benefits for these patients who've been in hospital for extended periods.They now plan to monitor patients' heart rates, respiratory rates and pain levels, to see if the outdoor rooftop ward helps them recover more quickly.Image caption, The rooftop ward on the fifth floor of the hospital features canopies and garden...