Hospital launches new art strategy
Representatives from local schools, colleges and art groups have attended the launch of a major new project to bring the work of local artists to the walls of George Eliot Hospital.
The hospital’s new art strategy was launched by Non-executive Director Malcolm Dade and he hopes that the introduction of more artwork will help to brighten up the surroundings for patients and visitors as well as giving much valued exposure to local artists.
Malcolm said: “It is widely recognised that art has value in health care. This is a very exciting project and I’ve been delighted by the level of enthusiasm shown by those who attended the meeting.
“In the past, schools, colleges and local art groups have donated pictures to us and the feedback we have received to much of this work has been extremely positive.
“This initiative goes one step further, with the hospital becoming involved with local artists at an earlier stage, encouraging them to create pieces of work specifically intended for display at the hospital.
“This project is very much about two-way benefits; patients, visitors and staff will benefit from improvements to the hospital environment and local artists and art students will benefit from having the chance to display their work. Who knows, we may uncover the next Picasso.”
Vitesh Vithlani from Etone College Nuneaton was one of those who attended the event. He said: “The launch event was very informative and I was very impressed with what the George Eliot is trying to achieve.
“Hopefully the therapeutic nature of artwork will create a more relaxed atmosphere in the hospital and help to put patients and visitors at ease.”
The importance of art in hospitals has even been recognised by the Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson: “The arts certainly have a key role to play in healthcare - its therapeutic value cannot be underestimated… It’s well-documented that those hospitals and other care settings that pay close attention to the overall physical environment for patients (preferably by listening to what patients and staff say would make things better) achieve real improvements in the health of patients.”*
If any other organisations would like to become involved in creating artwork or supporting the project from a resource point of view, they can contact Membership Manager Doreen Sadler on 024 76 865 383 or at doreen.sadler@geh.nhs.uk
