News / Health
New role created to bring art into Bristol’s city centre hospitals
It’s the job of Dr Anna Farthing “to develop and implement a wide-ranging and high impact strategy incorporating diverse art forms from pictures to performance”.
The University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust‘s first ever arts programme director is a role funded for 18 months by charity Above & Beyond but accountable to the trust’s chief executive.
Farthing has been tasked to support the psychological and social needs of both patients and more than 9,000 staff, as well as help the Trust’s hospitals such as the BRI, St Michael’s and Children’s Hospital engage with Bristol’s civic community.
The new role has been created as a response to increasing evidence of the links between wellbeing and engagement in creative and cultural activities.
Farthing has previously worked with organisations including Tobacco Factory Theatres, M Shed, Bristol Green Capital, Bristol Festivals and Bristol Doors Open Days. She has a PhD from the University of Manchester and is a visiting fellow at the University of Bristol.
“My doctorate is in culture rather than medicine, but as connections between the arts and health become increasingly evident, I am delighted to be able to contribute my expertise and to work alongside healthcare professionals so that they may better address the needs of patients,” Farthing said.
“I look forward to collaborating with partners that share similar values both in Bristol and across the UK, and to putting the spotlight on the strategic ambitions of the Trust.”
UHB NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Robert Woolley said: “I am grateful to Above & Beyond for their invaluable support of the Arts Programme and extremely pleased to have secured a director of the experience and standing of Dr Farthing to help us make our hospitals places of warm welcome and creative connection for the benefit of patients, staff and all who care about them.”
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