The Value of the Health and Well-being Benefits of Healthcare Facilities Outdoor Spaces
Author(s)
Luis Loria-Rebolledo, PhD1, Neil Chalmers, PhD2, Verity Watson, BA, MS, PhD3, Dwayne Boyers, PhD1, Melanie Antunes, MSc1.
1University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, 2Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 3Senior Research Economist, RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom.
1University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, 2Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 3Senior Research Economist, RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: The health and wellbeing benefits of exposure to open space are well known. The use of open spaces has been shown to improve blood pressure, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, mental health, premature deaths, and sleep quality. The National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland has 825 hectares of open space (half of which is greenspace) accessible to patients, caregivers, public and staff. This space offers unique opportunities to realise health and wellbeing benefits. This potential is unexplored, and no studies have estimated the health and wellbeing value and potential of these, or similar, health-based spaces.
METHODS: This study uses two survey-based non-market valuation methods to value NHS open spaces. First, the Office for National Statistics value of the health benefits of outdoor exposure based in Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). This approach may however not capture the full range of benefits these spaces provide. Second, a stated preference contingent valuation method to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) for open spaces. The online survey was administered to a representative sample of 2,449 adults in Scotland in late 2024.
RESULTS: We estimate that there are 128 million annual visits to NHS open spaces. Most visits last less than 30 minutes and are linked to visits to access NHS services. Visits typically involve low-impact activities suggesting most of the health and wellbeing benefits are linked to mental wellbeing. Based on the ONS exposure method, the direct annual health benefits from visits to NHS open spaces are estimated as £86.1 million (£65.6 million - £129.5 million). Most of this value comes from primary care sites. Based on contingent valuation WTP estimates the value of local hospital sites is £653.5 million and local primary care sites is £560.4 million.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings will provide insights into the social and economic value generated by investment in NHS open spaces.
METHODS: This study uses two survey-based non-market valuation methods to value NHS open spaces. First, the Office for National Statistics value of the health benefits of outdoor exposure based in Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). This approach may however not capture the full range of benefits these spaces provide. Second, a stated preference contingent valuation method to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) for open spaces. The online survey was administered to a representative sample of 2,449 adults in Scotland in late 2024.
RESULTS: We estimate that there are 128 million annual visits to NHS open spaces. Most visits last less than 30 minutes and are linked to visits to access NHS services. Visits typically involve low-impact activities suggesting most of the health and wellbeing benefits are linked to mental wellbeing. Based on the ONS exposure method, the direct annual health benefits from visits to NHS open spaces are estimated as £86.1 million (£65.6 million - £129.5 million). Most of this value comes from primary care sites. Based on contingent valuation WTP estimates the value of local hospital sites is £653.5 million and local primary care sites is £560.4 million.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings will provide insights into the social and economic value generated by investment in NHS open spaces.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
P36
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Policy & Regulatory, Methodological & Statistical Research
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas