PRIME Minister David Cameron has planted a tree at an Oxford hospital to mark NHS efforts to be more environmentally friendly.

The Witney MP visited Headington’s Warneford Hospital on Friday.

Several trees were donated to Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust by NHS Forest – a national project to encourage sustainability – and Mr Cameron planted the first tree with the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Prof Dame Sue Bailey.

The PM said: “NHS trusts, such as Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, can play an important role in contributing to reducing the country’s carbon footprint.

“Some of the initiatives I have been very interested to hear about include the tree-planting programme and also a project that helps people affected by mental health issues reap real benefits from the natural environment.”

Trust chief executive Stuart Bell said: “We are fortunate to have a large green space, the Warneford Meadow, right next to the hospital site.

“We look forward to using this area for the benefit of our patients.”