On the Nature Trail

Inside the Mittal Children’s Medical Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), you may spot a jumping rabbit in the grass or a deer darting between the trees in our newly extended Nature Trail.The journey to the operating theatre can be a difficult and anxious time. The hospital's extended Nature Trail aims to improve this experience for patients and families.

Designed by Jason Bruges Studio and commissioned by GOSH Arts in 2012 for the Morgan Stanley Clinical Building, the Nature Trail has been extended into the newly opened Premier Inn Clinical Building to provide continuity and familiarity throughout the centre for families on their journey to surgery.

In the Nature Trail’s woodland, creatures such as hedgehogs, frogs and birds appear between the trees, creating an enchanting and calming distraction for patients on their way to theatre. The animals are created by more than 100 LED panels hidden beneath the bespoke woodland wallpaper, with motion sensors that detect individuals as they move along the corridor, triggering the animals to accompany them along their journey.

Inspired by the Nature Trail, GOSH Arts commissioned illustrator Sarah Dennis to respond to the artwork and create a two-part resource that could be used by the pre-operative play team to prepare families for surgery at GOSH.

The resource comprises an illustrated story book called Follow the Fishes, and an activity sheet that includes search and find, colouring activity and stickers. The story gently and playfully takes patients through their journey to surgery, describing some of the characters they might meet, things they might see, and experiences they will have when they come to hospital and the activity sheet acts as distraction for families waiting to be called to surgery.

GOSH Arts is funded by Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Find out more about GOSH Arts or email GOSHArts@gosh.nhs.uk.

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