Wishing Well: team-working with clinical staff
Kate Murdoch blogs about the ‘Wishing Well Programme’ at the Royal Alex Children’s Hospital in Brighton. One of many encouraging developments in the ‘Wishing Well Programme’ at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, has been the growing element of team-working with clinical staff, particularly in the high dependency unit (HDU).
The CYP in the HDU are in a critical condition, and as musicians we have to be very sensitive to the medical needs of patients, whilst also respecting the personal space of patients, and parents or carers at the bedside.
Staff members really understand now that we are not musical entertainers, but a flexible resource of musicians capable of connecting with a wide range of patients and situations to help promote human connection, empowerment and creativity during challenging times.
Key to this development has been briefings with Janet Lee (HDU Education Sister) and other clinical staff before we go on the wards, and increasing referrals asking us to visit individual CYP. The background information about patient’s situations, and what’s happening on the day, has been essential in helping to focus our musical interactions in a way that can most benefit patients.
It has certainly been a learning curve for me in terms of flexibility as a musician, including finding creative and sensitive ways to connect with people during critical situations, including young patients who are at the end of life.
Another area of personal growth has been an increasing awareness of the importance of the sound environment in ward areas. There’s been significant improvement in the appearance of clinical spaces in hospitals with pictures, decorations and softer lighting. However, the ‘sound ecology’ of wards has received less attention, and for young patients it can be an very alien environment of beeping machines, wheeled equipment and adults moving and talking in a way different from home. It’s an area ripe for further development, and it’s good to know that the Wishing Well Programme is already helping by being soothing and uplifting sounds into the wards.
Find out more about Wishing Well
Website: www.wishingwellmusic.org.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WishingWellUK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wishingwelluk @wishingwellUK
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