WORCESTERSHIRE Acute Hospitals Charity has created a series of visual arts projects across wards in the trust.
The charity has now joined the National Arts in Hospitals Network (NAHN), whose vision is for every patient, visitor and staff member in UK hospitals to have access to high quality, impactful arts interventions to support recovery and wellbeing.
Recent visual arts projects across the trust have included bright and colourful installations in the new Emergency Department (ED) at Worcestershire Royal Hospital to help welcome children and define the spaces.
In the adult ED, the artwork included local landscapes to help familiarise patients and floor to ceiling murals. Wood-effect panels in the mental health assessment rooms make the spaces feel much less clinical, allowing those in need to feel calmer and more able to communicate with staff.
A large colourful mural painted by Emily Kaye Illustration at the entrance has been designed to ensure every member of our community will feel welcome and able to access the care they need.
Sophie Burt, the charity’s head of fundraising and community development, said: “As a charity we are pleased to join NAHN.
“Being in hospital can be a difficult and stressful time for patients and their loved ones, and being able to make the experience that bit easier for everyone using or providing services is at heart of what we do.
“Visual arts are about more than just filling a space or brightening up a department.
“Getting the design right has a huge impact on patients, visitors and staff.
“Bespoke, high-quality and inclusive art of all forms will contribute to the wellbeing of hospital patients and staff, as well as directly influence cooperation with care and the ability of patients to take in important information.”
Areas where patients are very likely to be feeling nervous and stressed have been redesigned to produce a calmer environment and the woodland scenes in the new West Theatres at the
Alexandra Hospital in Redditch have already received wonderful feedback from staff and patients alike.
Sophie added: “The charity team worked closely with clinical staff and bespoke designers to ensure the artwork not only met hospital standards, but that it also offered tangible benefits to patients and enhanced the overall environment for everyone.”
Visit wahcharity.org/donate for more information.
