NHS Lothian is intending to develop the idea of community gardens for use by people with learning disabilities and psychiatric patients. The grounds of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital have been suggested as one site. To read NHS Lothian's briefing document, click here.

The idea is not new. The hospital has an orchard in its grounds which patients used to look after but this stopped as there were fears that the work might be considered exploitative.

Artlink, an Edinburgh arts organisation that works with disadvantaged or disabled people is trying to revive interest in the orchard as you can read here.