Importantly this is the first time the extent of greenspace within the NHSScotland estate has been mapped and provides a baseline for analysis of future trends in NHSScotland greenspace use and management. It’s a fundamental step towards maximising the potential use of public land surrounding our hospital and health buildings as a powerful resource in improving the wellbeing of our communities and enhancing biodiversity.

The report, An interim assessment of NHS Scotland Greenspace, from Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents data on the amount of greenspace contained within the estate as a whole and at individual health board level. The data presented has been prepared by the PHS Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team and is based on information returned by NHSScotland boards as of September 2024. Data outlined in the report is still being refined and is subject to change due to outstanding quality assurance checks for some NHS Boards at time of publication.

What do we know about our health estate greenspaces:

• The size of the whole NHS estate in Scotland is 1,572 hectares. Almost the size of the city of Stirling.
• The land within the NHS estate that consists of trees, grass/scrubland and agricultural land is classified as 'greenspace'.
• Based on the data received to date, estimate is that just over half (52%, 825 hectares) of the total NHSScotland estate is greenspace, almost twice the size of Loch Lomond Nature Reserve (430 hectares).
• More than 50% of NHSScotland greenspace is within just four territorial health boards.
• Seven health boards have greenspace coverage that exceeds 50% of their total estate.
• There are only four health boards where greenspace cover is less than a third of the total estate. Even for the health board with the lowest percentage, greenspace still comprises over one quarter of its estate.

Read more about the background and findings in this blog Biodiversity and wellbeing on our doorstep - Greenspace mapping of the NHS Scotland Estate

Download the full report