Patients, families and staff on the Neurology wards at the N&N have enjoyed a unique music residency funded by the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity.
The Britten Sinfonia Neurology Residency built on an earlier programme of Music for Wellbeing sessions and brought professional musicians onto Ingham and Heydon Wards for five weeks. Led by composer and workshop facilitator Sam Glazer, the residency featured Sarah O'Flynn (flute), Charlie Hodge (percussion) and Bridget Carey (viola).
The project began with a Knowledge Exchange Day involving Britten Sinfonia musicians, Environmental Arts, Neurology teams and Allied Health Professionals before developing into a ward-based residency focused on patient wellbeing and rehabilitation.
Alongside performances and creative sessions, the musicians joined a singing group led by speech and language therapists and took part in rehabilitation activities with occupational therapists. Patients were encouraged to engage with music, movement and social interaction as part of their recovery.
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Jackie Welton explained how one patient with aphasia, a condition that can affect communication, had been practising saying the name of a particular song during his therapy sessions so that he could request it when the orchestra next visited.
She said: “This was a lovely example of how the residency could provide patients with a meaningful goal and a real reason to practise their communication skills.”
Clinical specialist occupational therapist Natalie Townsend said: “The positive impact on patients’ mood and wellbeing was particularly noticeable.
“Patients and visitors began to look forward to the sessions, particularly those who had experienced them the previous week.
Calming sessions
“One patient told me ‘listening to the beautiful music lifted my spirits and calmed my mind’.
“Following each session, we held a reflection session with the orchestra to discuss what had worked well, consider how sessions could be adapted in the future and reflect on any moments that may have presented challenges.”
One patient's wife described the impact on her husband, who had spent two months on Ingham Ward: "We love music and have been to concerts all over the world. The Britten Sinfonia staff spoke to the patients like they were people, not sick patients.
"My husband used to play the clarinet and was able to play an instrument here, so this has been really good for him. He felt better after the session."
N&N Hospitals Charity funded the residency thanks to donations from supporters who help fund projects that go above and beyond NHS provision to improve patient care and wellbeing.
To support projects like this, visit N&N Hospitals Charity Donate.