First Paintings Go Out on Loan

18 January 2005

The first of many works of art currently on show at West Suffolk Hospital went on loan to a Hertfordshire hospital yesterday (Jan 17).

Paintings in Hospitals East, which is based at West Suffolk Hospital, is a national charity that provides works of art on loan to hospitals, hospices and other healthcare facilities to enhance the healing environment for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.

Jessie Winyard and Gill Balen, members of the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Patients Panel, collected twenty works of art today for Hemel Hempstead General Hospital.

Gordon Cummings, Chairman of Paintings in Hospitals East, said: "These 20 paintings are the first to go out on loan from our base here at West Suffolk Hospital.

"We have some 60 works of art on display along the corridors of West Suffolk Hospital, all can be taken on loan by healthcare organisations across the East of England. As we raise more funds, further works of art will also be available."

Jan Bloomfield, Director of Personnel and Communications at West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Art and design has a powerful effect on patients and can transform their experience of hospital.

"Not only is the environment made more welcoming and more comfortable, but there is also a proven medical benefit. We hope that patients and staff at Hemel Hempstead General Hospital will take as much enjoyment from these works of art as we have."

Jessie Winyard, a member of the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Patients Panel, said: "We are delighted that our Trust will be the first ones to benefit from the Paintings in Hospital scheme in the East of England.

"The paintings are of such a high quality and variety. We will be placing them in areas of the hospital where the most staff and patients can appreciate them."

For further information contact:

West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust - Sue Warren on 01284 768935

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust ­ Eileen Whitehouse on 01442 287684

For more info on Paintings in Hospitals visit their website at www.paintingsinhospitals.org.uk