New keyboard to brightenpatients’ lives

The Trust along with Arts Care NI last week received with much appreciation the gift of the beautiful keyboard for the Arts Care NI Western Trust Committee.

It will enable the delivery of a programme of music for patients, staff and visitors in different hospital and healthcare locations within the Western Trust area, beginning with a programme within older people’s services at the Waterside Hospital, the X-Ray Department and visitor’s foyer area at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Judy Houlahan, Western Trust Head of Secondary Care was delighted to welcome the beginning of this project and said: “I welcome this donation and also Brais Monxardin the Project Musician who will be carrying out this work – with new piano in tow.”

She continued: “Music has been used in all cultures to uplift and invigorate, as well as calm and ease. It has been shown to reduce pain perception, alter blood pressure and respiration, increase relaxation and improve mood. Music allows patients and families to experience the healing value of music, it can bring comfort and add to a patient’s recovery process.”

Dr Jenny Elliott, Arts Care NI Chief Executive, said: “Recent research clearly demonstrates the many benefits that music can bring to healthcare environments and that it has proven to enhance the quality of life particularly of older people, in residential care settings.

“The gift from NIE will bring a great deal of joy, pleasure and comfort to those patients who may be going through a particularly challenging time in hospital.”

Keith Anderson, Treasurer of the NIE Staff and Pensions Charity Fund added: “We are delighted to support innovative projects by local charitable groups and this proposal under the auspices of Arts Care NI to provide support to patient’s family members and friends using Waterside Hospital, Sperrin Room and other health care settings ticked all the boxes.”

He continued: “NIE employees and pensioners have been contributing to the Charity Fund for over 20 years and in that time in excess of £1.25 million has been distributed to numerous local charities.

“Experience shows that in many instances a small donation is sufficient to kickstart many initiatives and it is hoped that this initiative will be a resounding success and in time may be rolled out Northern Ireland wide.”