Hospital art 'to speed recovery'

A hospital has defended its decision to recruit a £32,000-a-year art director.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, which is building a new £400m hospital, wants to fit wards with paintings.

The trust's chairman Mike Brereton said research showed that less-clinical hospital environments could help patients recover quicker.

He said the post had been funded by the Arts Council and other finances, including donations from charities.

'Faster recovery'

He said: "We want a world class facility here in north Staffordshire.

"Patient experience is very important and there are very few things that are better than patient experience.

"We know that in environments where you do get this addition to the patient experience you get much faster patient recovery, you get reduced stress levels amongst patients and amongst staff.

"Funnily enough there's even evidence that you get pain reduction as a result of a good environment.

"You also improve patient satisfaction. There's a whole series of really good outcomes from improving the environment in this way."