Students give works to Warwick hospital
Organ donation provides inspiration
THE organ donation committee at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has commissioned a new piece of public artwork for the Royal Derby Hospital to encourage more people to sign the national Organ Donor Register. Artist, Susie MacMurray, a former classical musician, has been selected to design the artwork, entitled Life lines, which reflects the idea of a cloud with a silver lining to represent organ donation. She said: "Life lines will be reflection of how our paths intersect and cross and how we are all part of a larger whole." The installation will be permanently suspended in the main entrance of the hospital, with the aim of creating a talking point around the issue of organ donation and remembering those who have donated organs.
Maternity unit gets a facelift
YEAR 12 and 13 A-Level art students from Stantonbury Campus in Kent have worked with an artist from MK Arts for Health to produce bright works for the maternity area at Milton Keynes Hospital. Prints have been designed for the reception and corridor areas, and digital panels are being produced for the two water birth areas and the bereavement suite. The work will be installed as soon as the current refurbishment of the unit is complete.
An Ideal setting for young patients
A TROPICAL rainforest and bird of paradise murals have been painted on the walls of the gym at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Yorkhill, Glasgow, to inspire youngsters when they undergo physiotherapy. The Yorkhill Children's Foundation charity approached Ideal Home Show Scotland ambassador, Linda Barker, to create a more engaging and relaxing experience for the children and, aided by Dulux, she rose to the challenge to transform the drab, white-walled room. Lesley Smith, head of the hospital's physiotherapy department, said: "We would like to thank the teams at the Ideal Home Show and Dulux for providing this bright, inspiring and cheerful new environment, and also to Yorkhill Children's Foundation for facilitating the project. It's already making a huge difference!"
Indian artist's surprise donation
AN INDIAN artist has donated a number of original paintings to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. The paintings, donated by a Mumbai artist known as Rakhee, will be displayed in the new mortuary at the hospital when it opens later this year. The hospital's head of fundraising and volunteers, Paul Bailey, said: "We got a delivery to the office one day and it was these fantastic paintings. We had had no prior contact with the artist and the paintings just appeared, with Rakhee saying she had come across the hospital on the internet and wanted to send us something to help create a nice environment for patients. We think the paintings are wonderful and have passed on our thanks to Rakhee for thinking about us.'' The works are in various media including oils, pastels, water-colours, acrylics, and ink and include murals, carvings, abstracts, landscapes, seascapes and drawings.
Island hospital become a gallery
AN EXHIBITION of paintings has gone on show at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital on Guernsey. Under the banner of Bravura - a display of boldness requiring spirit and skill - the artwork has been put together by Jeff Cooper, Shelley Greenfield and Richard Thompson and ranges from Cooper's ocean and shoreline theme produced in oils and marker pens to Greenfield's pen and wash technique and Thompson's watercolours, pastels and acrylics. "It is a great pleasure to welcome Shelley, Jeff and Richard to the hospital gallery," said Nancy Strike, arts co-ordinator for the island's Health and Social Services. "Feedback from patients, staff and visitors tells us how important and helpful the exhibitions are in providing an environment conducive to healing and wellbeing." The show will continue until the end of June.
Seaside theme for plaster theatre revamp
THE paediatric outpatients waiting area at Medway Maritime Hospital has undergone a maritime-themed makeover complete with portholes, life rings, buoys and an ocean cinema. The under-fives plaster theatre has been decorated in a wildlife and undersea theme and also has a TV and DVD player to distract the children when they are having their casts taken off. The phlebotomy area has also been revamped with Disney characters. All the painting was done by hand by a member of the phlebotomy team. John McLaughlin, head of phlebotomy and plaster theatre, said: "Hospitals can be scary places for children and we wanted to do something to put them at ease and to take their mind off their treatment, which can at times be traumatic for them. The treatment areas look much more welcoming and have so far made a big difference; the children are visibly more comfortable."