Paintings in Hospitals

http://www.paintingsinhospitals.org.uk/

Paintings in Hospitals is a registered charity that uses art and creativity to reduce sickness, anxiety and stress in UK healthcare facilities. Through our work we create environments that improve health, wellbeing and the healthcare experience for patients, their families and staff.

They work to:

• Help healthcare providers introduce artworks into their environment at a minimum cost
• Provide access to reassuring and stimulating works of art through loan schemes adapted to the needs of the healthcare community
• Make it as easy as possible for healthcare facilities to display artworks, by taking care of insurance, fixings and maintenance
•  Encourage patients, visitors and staff to engage with art on display and artists within the healthcare environment

Established in 1959, Paintings in Hospitals has grown into a leading arts in health organisation. We have a diverse collection of 4,000 original artworks and deliver interactive art projects that help transform the experience patients have. We firmly believe in art’s contribution to the healing process and evaluate the impact of our work.

Every year our work brings comfort and reassurance to over 1.8 million people across the UK from London to York, Aberystwyth and Belfast. We work across the health sector, including hospitals, hospices, care homes, GP surgeries, cancer centres and alternative therapy centres.

Paintings in Hospitals is recognised by the Department of Health, the National Health Service and Arts Council England as a leading provider of arts in health services. We are the partner organisation of Arts Council Collection for the healthcare sector.

We receive no funding from the Government so we depend on the support of charitable trusts, individual donors and businesses to continue our work. and the healthcare experience for patients, their families and staff.

Art in healthcare?

From GP waiting rooms to hospital wards, our surroundings have an impact on the way we think and feel. Artworks create a welcoming and stimulating environment, conducive to improving wellbeing and promoting a positive image of healthcare.

There is now an overwhelming body of evidence demonstrating that participating in the arts and having access to artworks can dramatically improve clinical outcomes and mental and physical health.

Recent clinical studies have concluded that placing original artworks within the healthcare environment can:

Reduce levels of anxiety, stress and depression

Reduce patients’ length of stay within the hospital -Reduce the use of some medications

Improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals

Taken from 'A Study of the Effects of Visual and Performing Arts in Healthcare' completed by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital from 1999 to 2002.

Artist residencies

In addition to loaning artworks, Paintings in Hospitals has also implemented artist residencies – allowing patients to experience the therapeutic benefits of making art and engaging with a practicing artist.

Digital Art Residency

Paintings in Hospitals recently received funding to implement a residency project in 2012 with a digital artist at a healthcare site treating young patients. Through the project young people will experience the creative process behind a digital medium, helping develop their sense of wellbeing and raise their self-esteem.

We have commissioned Cambridge Health Evaluation Consultants to evaluate the impact that the project will have on the young people involved in the residency.