Dr Lawrence Wilson, consultant in intensive care and anaesthesia, countess of Chester Hospital: “During nice weather, we’re able to take critically ill patients to the ground floor garden for some, “ICU in the fresh air” but this requires four staff and a whole myriad of specialist equipment and monitoring. Having a medically configured balcony, accessed directly from the unit, will allow us to take a greater number of patients, some of whom are not able to take the longer trip downstairs to the garden. It will boost patients’ physical recovery and mental well-being.