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A shift in priorities has led to refreshing changes for a Bristol hospital, explains Jane Willis

After 40 years of constant use and treating some 6,500 patients a year, Bristol’s Haematology & Oncology Centre (BHOC) was in need of a refresh. Arts in health consultancy Willis Newson was commissioned by University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) to devise and deliver a public art programme for the refurbishment. This was an opportunity to make a real difference to the experience of patients. However, creating artworks for such projects can be challenging, demanding a close working relationship with contractors, and with staff and patients who work in and rely upon the existing building. The resulting works include artist-designed glazing, bespoke furniture, large wall graphics and individual paintings. They are all inspired by the theme ‘a sense of place’ and most reference familiar locations and local landmarks. They enhance the experience of patients, visitors and staff in reception areas, clinics and consultation rooms, lifts, lift lobbies and stairwells, and play a vital role in supporting wayfinding throughout the building. Tom Johnson, former BHOC hospital porter said: “I used to bring patients outside for a change of scenery – now they’ve got a change of scenery on every floor.”

Our first step was to involve staff, patients and key stakeholders in the development of a vision for the project. Our consultation findings showed that those who used the building wanted artworks that would distract, calm and cheer, and would welcome natural images that referenced the local area. Patients needed to find their way around more easily and to be treated in and to wait in areas that felt less clinical and more homely. Many visitors and patients return to the Centre again and again, so the artworks need to stand up well to repeat viewing.

First impressions count and the main reception of the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre now sets the tone for the remainder of the building. Artist Robin Blackledge created a series of pieces inspired by the local environment for this important area. His vinyl graphics on the revolving entrance door reflect a bird’s eye view of Bristol. Bespoke table tops include stories and memories from patients and staff with designs based on Bristol map references. ‘Mugshots’ – images from around Bristol transferred onto coffee mugs displayed in museum-style cases – is designed to trigger people’s happy memories of people, places and events. With Rhiann Pressley, Robin also created a quilt that uses panels from clothes sourced from city centre charity shops to give an abstract perspective on the city. A former BHOC patient said: “This entrance, to me, it would make me feel full of confidence coming in here now, that everything is top, and on the ball. I’ve had nothing but excellent treatment, but this makes you feel now straightaway that you’re in the right place to get the help you need.”

Our consultation with staff and patients suggested that navigation around the building could be a problem. Robin created vinyl artworks for walls within the lift lobbies. These wayfinding graphics, derived from contour maps of the Bristol region, help to orient the visitor. Robin also installed light boxes in the ceiling of the patient lifts. Stuart Low, a Bristol-based architectural stained glass artist, produced five bright and colourful glass works for the windows within the main stairwell. These, again, help to suggest a sense of place, each referring to familiar landscapes.

We worked with Bristol-based gallery Innocent Fine Art to create a non-clinical, more homely atmosphere in the BHOC clinic rooms and the outpatients department. Patients undergoing treatment expressed a need for art that helps them escape into the world outside the room. Innocent Fine Art consulted with patients and staff to compile a list of popular locations in and around Bristol and selected local artists to paint them. Another former BHOC patient said: “Because you come here when you’ve got cancer, all the artwork everywhere does make a huge difference. You’ve got something to look at when you’re in outpatients – it helps to relax you.”
This project demonstrates quite how much can be achieved within the limitations of an existing environment. The use of a single integral theme for all the interventions contributes a sense of identity for the building, running through both public-facing spaces and patient environments. The programme also benefited from input from patient consultation, positive and meaningful engagement that had a real influence on the artworks.
 

Jane Willis is Director of arts in health consultancy Willis Newson.
www.willisnewson.co.uk