ObjectiveTo systematically identify and describe studies that have evaluated the impact of gardens and gardening on health and well-being. A secondary objective was to use this evidence to build evidence-based logic models to guide health strategy decision making about gardens and gardening as a non-medical, social prescription.DesignScoping review of the impact of gardens and gardening on health and well-being. Gardens include private spaces and those open to the public or part of hospitals, care homes, hospices or third sector organisations.Data sourcesA range of biomedical and health management journals was searched including Medline, CINAHL, Psychinfo, Web of Knowledge, ASSIA, Cochrane, Joanna Briggs, Greenfile, Environment Complete and a number of indicative websites were searched to locate context-specific data and grey literature. We searched from 1990 to November 2019.Eligibility criteriaWe included research studies (including systematic reviews) that assessed the effect, value or impact of any garden that met the gardening definition.Data extraction and synthesisThree reviewers jointly screened 50 records by titles and abstracts to ensure calibration. Each record title was screened independently by 2 out of 3 members of the project team and each abstract was screened by 1 member of a team of 3. Random checks on abstract and full-text screening were conducted by a fourth member of the team and any discrepancies were resolved through double-checking and discussion.ResultsFrom the 8896 papers located, a total of 77* studies was included. Over 35 validated health, well-being and functional biometric outcome measures were reported. Interventions ranged from viewing gardens, taking part in gardening or undertaking therapeutic activities. The findings demonstrated links between gardens and improved mental well-being, increased physical activity and a reduction in social isolation enabling the development of 2 logic models.ConclusionsGardens and gardening can improve the health and well-being for people with a range of health and social needs. The benefits of gardens and gardening could be used as a ‘social prescription’ globally, for people with long-term conditions (LTCs). Our logic models provide an evidence-based illustration that can guide health strategy decision making about the referral of people with LTCs to socially prescribed, non-medical interventions involving gardens and gardening.

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A series of hexaalkylguanidinium salts have been synthesized, either from urea using the well-known Vilsmeier route or in a one-pot alkylation reaction using guanidinium chloride. The hexaalkylguanidinium salts are water-soluble up to the hexa-n-butyl derivative but sparingly soluble for the hex-n-pentyl or hexa-isopentyl derivatives. The ability of hexaalkylguanidinium salts to inhibit the growth of a tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate crystal has been investigated. The hexabutylated derivative gave excellent crystal growth inhibition, superior to the performance of the quaternary ammonium salt tetra(n-butyl)ammonium bromide (TBAB) and close to that of tetra(n-pentyl)ammonium bromide (TPAB). As the alkyl group is reduced in length to propyl and ethyl, the inhibition performance drops off radically. The superior inhibition performance of hexabutylguanidinium bromide was illustrated by testing its ability as a synergist for the well-known kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI), poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCap). In high-pressure steel rocking cell and steel autoclave experiments using a natural gas mixture giving preferentially structure II gas hydrate, hexabutylguanidinium bromide clearly outperformed both TBAB and TPAB as synergists. Guanidinium chloride and hexabutylguanidinium bromide were shown to be poor antinucleator KHIs when used alone. performance as synergists for the commercial KHI, PVCap. In high-pressure steel rocking cell and steel autoclave experiments using a SII-forming natural gas mixture, hexabutylguanidinium bromide clearly outperformed TBAB and TPAB as synergists. Guanidinium chloride and hexabutylguanidinium bromide were shown to be poor antinucleator KHIs when used alone.We are currently investigating the hexaalkylguanidinium salts in more detail in KHI blends, as well as the related amidinium salts, plus the use of both of these classes of organic salts as gas hydrate AAs.

Education which embeds essential attributes to integrated working is needed to advance nursing practice for interprofessional working. Further research exploring this and its impact on integrated provision is essential to ensure that evidence-based services are provided. The reinforcement of partnerships between higher education institutions and health and social care organizations should ensure that the workforce is educated to manage continuous change in service delivery. Innovative ways of teaching and learning which promote inter-professional working need to be explored.

This paper discusses social prescribing as part of the wider NHS England universal personalised care model, and it describes how community nurses can engage with social prescribing systems to support community resilience. A case study based on the example of gardening, as a nature-based social prescription provided by the RHS Bridgewater Wellbeing Garden, is provided to illustrate the scope, reach and impact of non-medical, salutogenic approaches for community practitioners. The authors argue that social prescribing and, in particular, nature-based solutions, such as gardening, can be used as a non-medical asset-based approach by all health professionals working in the community as a way to promote health and wellbeing. They consider how the negative impact of social distancing resulting from COVID-19 restrictions could be diluted through collaboration between a holistic, social prescribing system and community staff. The paper presents a unique perspective on how community nurses can collaborate with link workers through social prescribing to help combat social isolation and anxiety and support resilience.