Grateful: Celebrating Life-Changing Care at the Royal Infirmary’s Renal Transplant Unit
Installed at the entrance to the Renal Transplant Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, a striking new artwork now greets patients, families and staff with warmth and welcome. Each panel glows softly with the words of those whose lives have been touched by transplant care.
As patients, staff and visitors walk along the main corridor outside the Unit, they encounter something truly special; heartfelt reflections capturing the life-changing impact of transplant and the deep sense of gratitude felt within the Unit.
Commissioned by our Tonic Arts team, and created by artist, Rebecca Milling, ‘Grateful’ consists of two panels designed as colour inverses – blue representing the voices of NHS staff, and yellow representing those of the patients they care for. Senior Charge Nurse, Sam Slight who gathered the comments that inspired the artwork, explains:
We wanted to show how proud and grateful we are for what happens on this ward. The artwork reflects the special place this is – where lives are transformed by transplants.”
True to its name, ‘Grateful’ embodies the pride and emotion tied to organ transplants, and the gratitude for the extraordinary work happening in the Unit. This comes through strongly in the words gathered from those connected to the Unit, with one staff member reflecting:
Whether an organ is from a deceased or living donor, it’s always a precious gift, being part of the process that allows that gift to transform people’s health and lives is very much a privilege.”
And a patient sharing:
I’m overwhelmed to still be here to be able to tuck my kids in at night, to laugh with my family and friends and make plans for my future.”
Senior Charge Nurse, Sam Slight stands in front of the artwork
These words didn’t just inspire the concept, they shaped the artwork itself. Rebecca Milling explains how she translated these reflections into a visual experience:
I created coloured slides from lighting gels, projected through a lens onto a white surface. From a distance, the written words become an inner glow to the artwork, whilst at closer inspection the thoughts and reflections of individuals become clear.”
The finished installation features two large panels, each a mirror of the other, symbolising the connection between staff and patients. Their words, framed by vibrant light, speak of resilience, compassion, and gratitude. Together, they create a space that honours the emotional depth of the transplant journey.
Sam adds:
This unit is a place where lives are transformed. We wanted everyone who walks through these doors to feel the pride and gratitude we share. This artwork does exactly that.”
As one patient’s words remind us:
My donor has afforded me my yesterday, my today, and my tomorrows. Boundless gratitude for a family I’ll never know -to a mother and father who made the person who saved my life.”
“I have been privileged to get to know our patients and families on a level that few jobs offer, including births, marriages and deaths. Still enjoying it after 33 years.”
“I owe my life and my future to the most amazing team of wonderful people. I am eternally grateful for my second chance to enjoy life.”
“The overwhelming generosity of our donors, compassion of the team and resilience of our patients will stay with me forever.”
About the Renal Transplant Unit
The RIE Renal Transplant Unit provides specialist care for patients undergoing kidney transplants, offering expert surgical and medical support alongside compassionate, person-centred care. Every transplant represents a new chapter — and this artwork celebrates that journey.
Tonic Arts enhances healthcare environments and enriches the patient experience through a programme of art and design commissions, developed with patient and staff engagement and collaboration.
