Queen Camilla has opened a balcony garden at St George’s hospital in South London for patients being treated for serious brain conditions.

Created in partnership between the John King Brain Tumour Foundation and St George’s Hospital Charity, the rooftop space aims to improve patient wellbeing, by providing access to fresh air and natural light.

The Queen joined neurology doctors, nurses and some of the hospital’s most critically ill patients before officially opening the Neuro Intensive Care Unit’s balcony garden earlier this month.

One patient, Catherine Oppong-Bargo, is one of St George’s own brain surgery nurses. She is currently being treated on the ward she usually works on after suffering a brain haemorrhage in May.

She said: “The balcony is a connection to the outside world after being beside lots of machines in intensive care, it makes it feel like I can breathe freely again.

“Now I’m using the balcony as a patient, I can put myself in their shoes and truly feel how big of an impact this is going to make.”

Daisy Papel, Matron of the hospital’s intensive care unit, was also introduced to the Queen. She shared how the green space offers patients with complex brain injury, tumours or stroke – and their families – access to the outside world while remaining safely under the hospital’s clinical care.

She said: “The balcony is important not only for our patients, but their families as well, to be able to see them outside of the ward and support them, which drastically helps to improve patient wellbeing.

“Coming outside from the intensive care unit, you cannot really express the happiness patients experience.”

St George’s Hospital is London’s third largest provider of neurosurgery.

The Neurology Intensive Care Unit – a 14-bed intensive care unit with around 850 admissions per year – offers services for the diagnosis, treatment and care of all conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, muscles and the nervous system.

During the visit, the Queen joined guests in the balcony garden including Laura King, founder of the John King Brain Tumour Foundation, who told attendees about the importance of the balcony garden following her husband’s passing in November 2016 after being treated at St George’s.

“This year marks ten years since my husband John died. After being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour in 2015, he was treated by the incredible team at St George’s Hospital,” she told attendees.

“Creating these balcony gardens has been a true passion project. Ten years on, it feels like a deeply poignant way to honour John’s memory and create something lasting for many other families in the future.”

St George’s Hospital Charity Chair David Meek thanked trustees for their support in helping to open the balcony garden, and to guests and the Queen for their attendance.

He said: “At St George’s Hospital Charity our mission is to create the best possible experience for our patients and staff, and the transformation of the Neuro Intensive Care Unit balcony is a powerful example of our impact in action.

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of St George’s Hospital Charity supporters, and of the John King Brain Tumour Foundation, hundreds of patients and families will benefit each year from the respite the balcony offers.

“We are deeply grateful to Her Majesty The Queen for joining us to mark this special occasion, and to everyone whose dedication support helped bring this vision to life.”

The Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the balcony garden.