Salus journal

Healthy Planet. Healthy People.

Women & children's / Arts and health

The Future Hospital 2050: Arts innovation in children’s hospitals

By SALUS User Experience Team 01 Apr 2022 0

Through presentations and interactive dialogue, our interdisciplinary panel will weave together perspectives from art, architecture, medicine, design and play specialisms to reimagine the children’s hospital of the future.



Abstract

Hospitals can be daunting places for adults. For children the fear, worry and anxiety can be overwhelming. In this programme, our expert panel will reimagine paediatric environments of the future, considering how art, artists and designers can play a role in integrating opportunities for creating less clinical and more nurturing, homely and sensory environments that integrate purposeful play and learning.

International case studies that are making a difference to the experience of children and their families will be explored. Art helps children stay active, social, and playful, positively impacting on their development and building their understanding and confidence. Art can help increase doctor-child trust and support recovery times. Art can also orientate children and families in an alien environment, and provide inspiring narratives to bring solace in times of difficulty, anxiety and pain.

Our panel will explore how integrated art approaches can ease the shock of transition from home to hospital and throughout a child’s hospital stay, through story-telling and inspiration that introduces humour, learning and fun to help navigate the emotional journey.

Chair: Stephanie Williamson, co-chair, Architects for Health, UK

Panel: Stig Vesterager Gothelf, senior partner, 3XN, Denmark
Cristiana Caira, partner and director, White Architects, Sweden
Natalie Ellis, head of arts, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
Martin Jones, director and artist, Art in Site, UK