Specialist Therapeutic Radiographer Katie Fisher, based at Rosemere Cancer Centre in Royal Preston Hospital, has led an innovative project that is transforming patient care at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust by harnessing the power of nature.
Katie developed the initiative as part of her Rapid Evidence Conversion Summaries (RaCES) internship with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC), supported by mentors and colleagues including Jo Harrison and James Hill from the ARC NWC Methodological Innovation, Development, Adaptation & Support (MIDAS) theme.
At the forefront of cancer care innovation, Rosemere Cancer Centre delivers radiotherapy to between 300 and 400 patients each month, capturing over 1,000 appointments every week. The centre’s seven state-of-the-art linear accelerators (linacs) enable external beam radiotherapy for 30–40 patients per day per machine — a pace that reflects both the precision and scale of the service.
Katie explained how the idea first took shape, “I’ve always found being outdoors really helps me, and I realised my patients often felt the same. They’d tell me about walking the dog, visiting a park, or just getting outside, and it was clear how much better it made them feel. But I couldn’t find any evidence of how green prescribing could benefit radiotherapy patients specifically, so that’s what I wanted to explore.”
Working with Macmillan Cancer Support UK , Rosemere Cancer Foundation, colleagues across radiotherapy, Planning Officer, Tracey Calvey from the Trust’s sustainability team, and patient representatives, Katie and her stakeholder group developed practical, evidence-based initiatives now in place:
- Walking routes around the hospital, complete with QR codes linking to guided mindfulness exercises.
- Seed swaps so patients can take home and grow plants at no cost, encouraging outdoor activity, social connection, and engagement with biodiversity.
- Nature imagery and window wraps inside treatment areas, creating a calmer and more welcoming environment.
- Information boards highlighting local green spaces and community activities across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Katie added “As radiographers, we see patients every day for weeks at a time. That means we’re in a unique position to offer care that goes beyond treatment. These small changes, a walk, some seeds, even just looking at a picture of nature, can help reduce stress, ease social isolation, and improve overall wellbeing.”
The project has already gained recognition beyond Lancashire. Katie’s published article was cited at the UK Imaging and Oncology Congress by Suzanne Rastrick, NHS England’s Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, while local media including BBC Radio Lancashire and That’s TV have shared the story with the public.
Reflecting on her ARC NWC internship, Katie said:
“Before this, I had no research experience and the idea of doing it felt overwhelming. ARC NWC gave me the time, skills, and encouragement to take forward something I was passionate about. I’ve been able to create something that is both practical and sustainable, and that could be adapted by other departments.”
Jo Harrison, who mentored Katie, praised her commitment, “Katie’s project shows the real value of supporting clinicians to develop their research ideas. She’s combined her frontline experience with evidence-based approaches and created a model that other departments can learn from. It’s a fantastic example of innovation improving patient care and reducing health inequalities.”
Looking ahead, Katie hopes her work will form a blueprint for radiotherapy departments across the country, aligning with the Green Radiotherapy Framework on sustainable practice.
“This isn’t complicated or costly; it’s about giving patients and staff opportunities to connect with nature in ways that are meaningful and accessible. Thanks to the support from ARC NWC and my colleagues, we’ve created something that can really make a difference. As radiotherapy services see so many patients every single day, there’s huge potential to scale this up and benefit thousands more.”
To contact Katie about her work please email: kathryn.fisher@lthtr.nhs.uk
Donations of seeds would be gratefully by Katie at the Rosemere Cancer Centre at Royal Preston Hospital.
