The Wilson Blue Skies Balcony opens at the Countess of Chester Hospital thanks to £750,000 fundraising appeal

The new outdoor space gives critically ill patients safe access to sunlight and fresh air during recovery – thanks to community support and hospital partners.

Patients and families at the Countess of Chester Hospital are now benefitting from a unique new facility: The Wilson Blue Skies Balcony, which opened on 21 November.

Made possible by donations to The Countess Charity’s Blue Skies Appeal – with additional support from IHP, contractors for the hospital’s new Women and Children’s Building – this dedicated outdoor space is directly connected to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), giving the hospital’s most seriously ill patients safe access to fresh air and natural light during recovery.

The balcony was officially opened by Samantha Dixon MBE, Member of Parliament for Chester North & Neston, who joined former patients, hospital leaders, staff and supporters for the occasion.

The idea for the balcony came from staff, who recognised the benefit of access to daylight during long ICU stays. Research shows that time outdoors aids recovery, reduces delirium and improves mood. The new balcony allows beds and crucial equipment to be moved outside safely, so even the most unwell patients can benefit with full clinical support.

Dr Simon Ridler, ICU Consultant, said: “The ability to get our patients outside, even briefly, and expose them to natural light and countryside views will go a long way towards improving their recovery and their experience whilst in critical care. Previously, access to the outdoors involved the patient and team of staff leaving the ICU and having to navigate corridors and a lift to gain access to a downstairs garden area.  Having this balcony directly off the unit makes it much easier and safer to transfer patients outside and will allow many more patients and their families to benefit from this. It puts us in the vanguard of intensive care in our region.”

While a handful of other hospitals in the UK are developing similar spaces, the Blue Skies Balcony is among the first of its kind in the North West, putting the Countess of Chester Hospital at the forefront of patient-centred care.

Jane Tomkinson OBE, Chief Executive, said: “This balcony shows our commitment to putting patients and families first. We listened to feedback to create a space that supports recovery and wellbeing – another step in delivering outstanding, compassionate care.”

The balcony – which is now open and is part of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s commitment to improving patient and family experience across its hospitals – is dedicated to the memory of Dr Lawrence Wilson, a much-loved consultant who helped plan the project.

This project was made possible thanks to the generosity of local people, businesses and major funders – including the Ursula Keyes Trust and NHS Charities Together – who helped the Blue Skies Appeal reach its £750,000 target. Integrated Health Projects (IHP), construction partners for the hospital’s new Women and Children’s Building, played a vital role by sourcing materials cost-effectively and donating labour, ensuring the vision was delivered to the highest standard.

Angie Lopez, Head of Fundraising at The Countess Charity, said: “The charity is delighted that the Wilson Blue Skies Balcony has now been completed and opened; Fundraising for the balcony began in 2020, at a time when most of the world appreciated the benefit of access to outdoor space. This new facility will offer ICU patients, their families and ICU staff a place of healing, to find strength, access to fresh air and to see blue skies.”

Matt Groome, Director at CCL Solutions, which project managed the Women and Children’s Building project constructed by IHP (a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine), said: “Being here for the opening of the Wilson Blue Skies Balcony really does feel like a full-circle moment. For us, construction isn’t just about buildings – it’s about creating spaces that make a lasting difference for the community, and as a Chester-based consultancy that means a lot. We’re proud to have delivered the Women and Children’s Building and supported projects like this balcony, alongside initiatives such as school engagement and improvements to local spaces like the Countess of Chester Country Park. Having recently experienced the care my own family received on the paediatric ward, I appreciate even more how spaces like this can support patients and families during the toughest times. It’s incredibly rewarding to know we’ve left a positive mark in this way.”

The Trust and The Countess Charity extend heartfelt thanks to all donors and fundraisers, ICU staff who championed the vision, CCL Solutions for their outstanding support, and IHP for delivering works as part of their commitment to social value.

For more information or to support future appeals, click here.