Patients at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and other hospitals around the country will now benefit from enhanced arts programmes thanks to new guidance.
The National Arts in Hospitals Network (NAHN) has launched the first comprehensive web-based guidance for establishing and managing hospital arts programmes across the UK.
Arts programmes offer the opportunity for patients, families, staff and stakeholders to engage in creative activities including art, poetry and music, within healthcare settings. Arts programmes are important for supporting patient care and delivery, as well as enhancing the wellbeing of patients and making visiting and staying in hospital that bit easier.
The NAHN Arts in Hospitals Guidance offers a complete suite of resources covering six essential areas: governance, strategy, evaluation, collection management, art and environment, and participatory arts. The guidance is a practical and inspiring resource to help teams plan, deliver and grow arts programmes in hospital settings.
The guidance was developed with the support of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, with Arts Coordinator Sam Wade from the Trust acting as a member of the Arts in Hospital Guidance Steering Group, alongside creative health consultant Jane Willis in collaboration with NAHN members. Funding was provided by Arts Council England.
Of developing the guidance, Sam says: “It has been a great experience being a part of the NAHN guidance steering group over the past year. It’s given me the chance to meet and work with arts managers across the country and find out more about the high standard of arts in health programmes that are being delivered.”
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s own Arts Programme offers a range of creative activities and performances for patients and staff, as well as artwork to enhance our cancer centres and create a positive visitor experience.
As part of its Arts Programme, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre partners with local creative organisations. These include Liverpool Philharmonic, with its musicians giving live performances and workshops including for inpatients. Listening to music has been found to have real benefits for people going through cancer treatment, helping them to manage stress, enhance their wellbeing and reduce adverse side-effects.
One patient, who have been receiving long term care as an inpatient at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool, benefitted from one of the arts sessions. They said: “It’s lonely here by yourself. This relieves loneliness and boredom. It’s a relief to do something that is enjoyable and creative and good for my mental health.”
Sam adds: “The guidance will support us in our aims to improve patient experience and provide regular opportunities for patients and stakeholder engagement to improve their health and wellbeing.”
Find out more about the Arts Programme here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre here.
Find out more about the NAHN Hospitals Guidance on their website via this link: Arts In Hospitals Guidance - National Arts in Hospitals Network
