Mental health hospital facilities across England are to receive a £1 million funding boost as part of the King's Fund's Enhancing the Healing Environment scheme.
Projects will take place in each of the 23 strategic health authorities outside London and are aimed at improving the mental health care environment for both patients and staff.
Funded by NHS Estates and the Department of Health, the initiatives include refurbishing corridors, waiting areas and wards to the creation of gardens, artworks and quiet spaces and are all expected to be completed by spring next year.
"Investing in better healing environments is an important part of improving the overall healthcare experience for patients," said health minister Rosie Winterton.
"There is robust evidence to show that better working environments for staff and better environments for care promote recovery and enhance the healing process."
Each individual project aims to improve an area used by patients and is run by a nurse-led team, which controls the £35,000 grant.
Team members also attend a King's Fund programme to examine practical ways in which health care environments can be improved by the use of colour, light, art and design.
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