A vibrant new collection of photographs and music memorabilia has been unveiled outside of an elderly care ward at the University Hospital of North Tees.
The new display of local landmarks, activities and poignant moments of music history, will help support a calming and therapeutic space for patients living with dementia and delirium.
Developed through community collaboration with members of the Stockton Camera Club and Stockton Globe volunteers, the new displays are the latest in a series of new art installations across the University Hospitals Tees Group.
The culmination of months of work, the photographic pieces were chosen in collaboration with elderly care staff, the camera club and Globe volunteers as pieces that staff thought would best support the health and wellbeing of patients living with dementia or with delirium.
Helping to trigger those nice memories and conversations
Dr Rachel Hodson, consultant in elderly care, said: “I’d just like to thank everyone involved who has helped to cheer up and make our corridors look a little less clinical.
“Having visual stimulation for our patients is important to their health progression and wellbeing. It means we can provide a focus point and enable therapeutic conversations between patients and their families or staff members.
“I know that these images will help to improve our patient experience by alleviating distress for patients with dementia or delirium – helping to trigger those nice memories and conversations.”
Arts council chair, Dr Jean MacLeod and University Hospitals Tees chair, professor Derek Bell were also in attendance to celebrate and share their thanks for the work behind the new installation. Arts council member and senior project support officer, Donna Fairhurst also presented Dr Hodson and her ward staff with smaller copies of the photographs and music memorabilia in ring bound folders, to help bring patients comfort, spark conversation and connection for years to come.
Supporting health and wellbeing
Chief strategy officer and deputy CEO, Matt Nelligan, said: “I have to say a huge thank you to all our partners who have been involved in helping with this transformation of the west wing environment. Everyone from our arts council, North Tees and Hartlepool Together hospital charity, Louis Smith and the estates joinery team and Castle Construction who kindly donated Perspex for our displays.
“Most importantly, thank you to the Stockton Camera Club, Albert Wood from Guisborough Camera Club and the Stockton Globe Trust Volunteers, without whom we would not have these installations that we know will help reduce agitation and distress for our patients and will also provide more uplifting atmosphere for their families and for our staff.”
This project reflects University Hospitals Tees’ ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming and healing healthcare environment that supports health and wellbeing through the use of art.