Medicine and music in ICU
PERFORMERS VISIT PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL
PATIENTS in intensive care should soon be serenaded by live music as a treatment with a difference is introduced.
It is believed the soothing sounds will help reduce anxiety and stress levels on wards in Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust.
The scheme is being provided by the national charity Music in Hospitals and Care. Newcastle-based musician Claire Tustin was among the first perform in the ICU at Freeman Hospital and she proved a great hit.
Dr Jon Walton, consultant intensivist at the Freeman Hospital, said: “Critical care can be a very daunting place to be, for both patients and their families.
“Although we are very good at looking after the medical needs of those on the unit, we also need to provide a holistic approach to care; recognising and looking after the patient as a person.
“Having regular live music tailored to each patient is one way of making the atmosphere on critical care more humane.” Music in Hospitals and Care has been providing professionally performed live music in hospitals and other healthcare settings throughout the UK for nearly 70 years.
Jess Ingham, director North for Music in Hospitals and Care, said: “Our musicians are carefully chosen by audition to ensure that they not only demonstrate great musicianship, but they also have the ability to connect, engage and communicate with people.
“Our aim is to create joy through live music, to raise mood, boost feelings of wellbeing and to reduce anxiety and stress.
“Since July 2016 we have been taking live music on to critical care wards – skilled artists provide calming, soothing music to patients by moving around the unit, offering a very gentle repertoire. Since its inception, we have received extremely positive feedback from patients, families and staff.”
The ICU-hear project is a collaboration of former patients, NHS nursing staff, volunteers and musicians, to provide specialist live music to patients in intensive care units across the UK.
To find out more about Music in Hospitals in Care, please visit: www.mihc. org.uk