Send luvvies into care homes!

THE arts aren’t there just to entertain — they can actually make us feel better, according to a report this week from the All Party Parliamentary Group On Arts, Health and Wellbeing.

It presented some astonishing research: 82 per cent of people enjoy greater wellbeing after engaging with the arts and 77per cent take more physical activity.

Even more striking, a project called Arts On Prescription resulted in a 37 per cent drop in visits to the GP and a 27 per cent reduction in hospital admissions. Furthermore, dementia patients’ medication rates drop and their levels of engagement with those around them increase.

Various prestigious organisations have taken part in projects, including Wigmore Hall, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Liverpool Philharmonic.

As someone who’s spent years working in nursing homes, first as a care assistant and later as a doctor, I think anything that can do this has to be welcomed.

All too often, staff reach for the chemical cosh for ‘difficult’ behaviour, but the notable risks include stroke.

Given the benefits, why can’t GPs prescribe art programmes?

Part of the problem is that the NHS doesn’t view things holistically, and there is no mechanism whereby money saved from fewer consultations, say, is ploughed back into arts schemes. It’s all so woefully short-sighted.

I think we should encourage artists and performers to visit hospitals and care homes as a sort of community service.

The new report goes some way here, recommending that Arts Council England supports cultural organisations in making health integral to their work. Surely those in care homes deserve more than hours sat ossifying in front of daytime TV?