Garden opened in tribute to surgeon

Mr Forbes-Smith was a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a highly respected leader in the field of colposcopy before passing away in 2008.

The garden was Mr Forbes-Smith’s idea and he felt it would be a nice place for patients to enjoy during their stay at the hospital. The £90,000 patch was designed by two-time prize winner at the Chelsea Flower Show Anita Barratt.

“I know it has already been used by some of the mothers and babies and it has become a tremendous asset to the hospital as a whole,” Mr Forbes-Smith’s widow Jenny told the Swindon Advertiser.

Money was raised for the garden through a number of different channels including donations from Nationwide building society and Swindon Town Football Club.

Consultant spinal surgeon at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury David Chapple believes that gardening can help heal patients both physically and emotionally