A new outdoor space for people to "remember, reflect and rejuvenate" has been opened at a Kent hospital.

The garden at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham has been created by award-winning landscape designer Jo Jemmison with funding from Medway NHS Foundation Trust, The Medway Hospital Charity and Medway League of Friends.

Contractors Drakemoor created a time-lapse video of the project so you can see the garden being built from start to finish.

The courtyard includes pergolas, raised flower beds, privacy screens, seating, and a large water feature.

It was officially opened by the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Jan Aldous, and will be used by staff initially and when it is fully opened patients and visitors will also be able to enjoy the area.

Dr George Findlay, the hospital trust’s chief executive, said: “The reflection garden is an important addition to our hospital and we hope it will enhance mental and physical wellbeing.

“The pandemic has been tough on all of us and this garden recognises that people need a space to remember loved ones, who have lost their lives to COVID-19 or other illnesses.

“It has been designed as an uplifting area for relaxation, rejuvenation and reflection and we hope staff, patients and visitors will be able to take a break and make the most of this wonderful new resource, when the site fully opens.

"I would like to thank The Medway Hospital Charity and Medway League of Friends for their financial contribution to this project. Without their help, this garden would not have been possible.

“I would also like to thank Cllr Jan Aldous, the Mayor of Medway, for opening our reflection garden, designer Jo Jemmison and her team for the beautiful planting scheme, our estates team and contractors Drakemoor Ltd, which carried out the garden transformation and kindly donated shrubs and flowers for the planters, for making our vision a reality.”

Garden designer Jo Jemmison won a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Silver Gilt Medal and a Best in Category award for a Metamorphosis Show Garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2014 for her first show garden.