News from our Tonic Arts Programme

The award recognises arts projects that have a measurable positive impact on the patient and staff experience within a health or care environment.

Our Common Humanity is is one of over 60 major pieces of art and design commissioned by the Charity for healthcare settings, across Edinburgh and Lothians, since the programme was first established in 2015.

NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts proudly presents the opening of its child-centred exhibition featuring Sir Quentin Blake’s captivating artwork from the book “The Five of Us”.

World-renowned London Symphony Orchestra has performed a series of ground-breaking concerts at four hospitals across NHS Lothian as part of the Edinburgh International Festival. The uplifting events, organised in collaboration with NHS Lothian Charity, saw patients and staff enjoy some respite and distraction through an afternoon of music.

Staff, patients and visitors at the Western General Hospital welcomed conceptual artist, Bill Drummond, on Tuesday 13 June to officially commence the loan of his ‘The Boy Friends’ Painting’ for the next year.

The project is centred on improving the physical and mental wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors through the incorporation of art and craft.

This year’s awards continued to honour the innovation, architecture, people, products and services that are helping to transform patient care in both the NHS and private sector.

NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts and Green Health programmes, in partnership with Stills: Centre for Photography, has appointed Sony Photographer of the Year 2021, Craig Easton, and photographer-writer, Lottie Davies, on a great new staff engagement project.

Letters to a Future NHS explores the challenges faced by BME, LGBT+, Disabled and Youth Staff members through a programme of creative activities.

A series of nine short films was created and showcased by 25 NHS Lothian staff members, celebrating the skills, dedication and creativity of NHS Lothian staff.