Doctors could soon be telling their patients to get out into the countryside to help cure what ails them. In a first for England, Midlands GPs have started to issue 'nature prescriptions' after a successful pilot in Scotland.
The move comes on the back of increasing evidence that spending more time outdoors connecting with nature can improve people's mental well-being. The prescriptions given out to patients in High Peak, Derbyshire, have been designed with help from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Peak District National Park Authority.
Patients are given a calendar of ideas to inspire them to connect with nature. This includes searching for frost on leaves and listening to sounds outdoors. Participants can complete the programme on their own or with others.
