Bringing the healing power of music to NHS Lothian hospitals
London Symphony Orchestra and Edinburgh International Festival
The London Symphony Orchestra concerts see the continuation of an exciting and ongoing collaboration between our Tonic Arts team and Edinburgh International Festival.
In August 2023, as part of this exciting partnership, world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra performed a series of concerts for patients and staff at four hospitals across NHS Lothian. The musical events provided some respite and distraction with 15 performances taking place over three days.
Patient, Blackford Ward, Royal Edinburgh HospitalThe performance was top notch, I was moved to tears by the first song.”
What we delivered
During initial discussions, both partners were keen to look at ways to bring the transformative power of participation in the arts to NHS Lothian sites where both patients and staff could benefit. The result was a week-long residency by the London Symphony Orchestra with our Tonic Arts team supporting the development, promotion and support of the timetabled events.
1,185 patients, staff and volunteers attended the performances over the four days
A range of settings were selected for the performances at the following sites;
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
- Western General Hospital
- Royal Edinburgh Hospital
- Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
We focused on delivering the performances in spaces which would have the most benefit and be easily accessible for patients and staff, with a variety of spaces being used such as clinical wards and communal areas. In order to increase opportunities for experiences and interactions out with the clinical setting, one of the performances took place in the Community Gardens at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Cyrenians, who manage the garden as part of our Green Health programme, provided seating and refreshments for the event.
Each performance lasted approximately 30 minutes, enabling staff to engage during breaks and accommodate patient care.
The Tonic Arts team also worked closely with NHS Lothian‘s Voluntary Service Team to facilitate the events with carefully briefed volunteers.
Music Therapist, Royal Edinburgh HospitalThe lure of the performance seemed to get members of the wider multidisciplinary team out of the office, meetings and into the ward with the patients and the rest of the ward staff to listen and engage with the performers and patients. Some of these staff members then saw certain patients in a different setting, through a different lens than they normally would on the ward.”
Staff member, Royal Edinburgh HospitalHaving the performance in the community gardens allowed mingling of community members as well as hospital staff and patients, and provided an environment that was centred around love and appreciation of music.”
How the performances made a difference
The London Symphony Orchestra residency supported us to meet a number of our strategic outcomes for our Tonic Arts programme:
57%
of staff felt patients were calmer/less distressed during the performance
“I noted some patients around me who were noticeably soothed as soon as the music started, and were able to be attentive when prior they were more agitated.”
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Royal Edinburgh Hospital
100%
of patients and staff agree that the experience had a positive impact on their health and wellbeing
“I was approached by an Emergency Department Consultant who wanted to thank us for organising this and highlight what a positive impact these type of activities have on staff wellbeing.”
Site Director, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
90%
of patients and staff agree that they felt valued by the experience
“I think the most obvious change in patients was that they were engaged and felt valued and included by the performance… it felt like a very equalising space for patients to engage within.“
Staff member, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Legacy
Events and performances like these are part of our Tonic Arts’ Participatory and Live Arts programme, using art and creativity to help alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and create a positive environment for patients, staff, visitors and the wider NHS Lothian community. Research shows the benefits of music therapy in clinical settings, specifically for therapeutic interventions of patients with mental health conditions. Music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief – but music can also be utilised as a regulating or calming tool.
The feedback from this project illustrates the impact this programme of musical performances has had on staff and patients. After such a successful project, we wish to continue and strengthen our partnership with Edinburgh International Festival, and are investigating various models that would benefit patients and staff of NHS Lothian going forward.
Therapeutic Activities Manager, Western General HospitalFor many patients that was the highlight of their week and some shared tears of joy or nostalgia praising the artists long after they were gone and sharing with family and friends their experience. “
Nurse , Royal Edinburgh HospitalWhat an absolute treat for everyone who attended but most of all for people who for a variety of reasons have never been able to and are now able to access live performances.”
Thank you
A huge thanks to Edinburgh International Festival and the musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra for supporting the on-site concerts as well as providing free tickets for 1,000 NHS Lothian staff to attend the 2023 opening gala performance at Murrayfield stadium.
Thank you also to NHS Lothian Charity partners, and NHS Lothian staff and volunteers for supporting this wonderful series of performances.
