New ICU balcony opens at Countess of Chester Hospital
Critically ill patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital can now safely experience fresh air and daylight during recovery, following the opening of the new Wilson Blue Skies Balcony.
The £750,000 project, made possible through donations to The Countess Charity’s Blue Skies Appeal, officially opened on 21 November.
The balcony connects directly to the Intensive Care Unit, allowing patients on life-support equipment to be taken outdoors with full clinical supervision.
The project was supported by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), contractors for the hospital’s new Women and Children’s Building, along with contributions from local people, businesses and funders including the Ursula Keyes Trust and NHS Charities Together.
The balcony was named in memory of Dr Lawrence Wilson, a former consultant who helped plan the project before his passing.
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.”
Jane Tomkinson OBE, Chief Executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 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.”
Angie Lopez, Head of Fundraising at The Countess Charity, added: “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, 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 Countess Charity and Trust have thanked all donors, hospital staff and project partners who helped bring the vision to life.
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