A HOSPITAL garden dreamed up by a nurse who died from a brain tumour is being used by patients for the first time.

Gail Castle, who passed away in December 2014, drew up plans for the sensory garden at Didcot Community Hospital with colleagues, but did not live long enough to see her ambitious plan become a reality.

The garden, which is named after Mrs Castle, will be officially opened next month but good weather has allowed patients to start spending time there.

Ward manager Helen Reynolds, who worked with Mrs Castle from 2000 until 2013, said it would particularly help patients suffering from dementia. She said: “Before we had nowhere where patients could go safely without the risk of them going on the main road.

“The new garden is a safe area. It is enclosed with a picket fence all the way around. The path goes around in a circle and it makes the patients feel like they are going somewhere.

“People with dementia often have long-term memories and we can get them talking about things from years ago by using triggers such as the smells of plants. And, of course, it will suit anyone so other patients can use it too.”

The garden, which cost £30-£40,000, was funded by the Department of Health in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council.

Harwell Gardeners’ Club members have volunteered to help maintain the garden and the hospital’s League of Friends helped to fund astroturf, which added the finishing touches.

Ms Reynolds said: “Gail and I drew up plans for this back before we had the funding, when we thought we were going to have a much smaller garden.

“She used to keep chickens and I can still see her in her garden with them.

“We have got some little metal chickens and a chicken coop and some pretend eggs.

“Unfortunately she never got to see it finished.”

Mum-of-two Mrs Castle, from Wallingford, died just two months after being diagnosed with the tumour and being told she could expect to live for another one to five years.

Her husband Nick, 47, has supported a number of efforts to raise money for Cancer Research, including Wear a Hat Day and a walk in Wallingford last October.

He said: “It will be nice that the garden is not just about medical care but it is about the environment.

“Gail was very passionate about that sort of thing.

“I am pleased they have carried on and created the garden. It is lovely that they have named it after her.”

Mr Castle and his children Harry, 19, and Jemma, 16, will be at the official opening ceremony for the garden on Saturday, May 9.