New Arts Toolkit Revolutionises Creative Healthcare in UK Hospitals
By Health Correspondent
A major milestone in creative health was reached today as the National Arts in Hospitals Network (NAHN) unveiled the UK’s first comprehensive web-based guidance for hospital arts programmes at University College London Hospitals (UCLH).
The NAHN Arts in Hospitals Guidance offers practical, evidence-based tools to help NHS leaders and arts managers develop, manage, and evaluate impactful arts initiatives in healthcare settings.
The guidance covers six key areas: governance, strategy, evaluation, collection management, art and environment, and participatory arts.
Funded by Arts Council England, the guidance was authored by creative health consultant Jane Willis in collaboration with NAHN members and visually designed by Jennie Ives.
“This is a watershed moment for hospital arts,” said Guy Noble, Director of NAHN. “It’s the first time such a comprehensive toolkit has been available to embed arts strategically in healthcare.”
Jane Willis added: “By gathering best practice from across the sector, we’re giving new and experienced NHS arts teams the tools and confidence to build high-quality programmes from the ground up.”
The resource includes six guidance documents, 16 case studies from UK hospitals, and 14 ready-to-use templates.
It aims to align arts programming with NHS goals while promoting patient and staff wellbeing through creative engagement.
UCLH Chief Executive David Probert emphasised the role of the arts in healing: “Arts in hospitals are not an afterthought. They are a core part of compassionate, patient-focused care.”
The initiative supports NAHN’s mission for every UK hospital to use the arts to promote health and wellbeing.
Backed by key partners including NHS Charities Together and the National Centre for Creative Health, the guidance underscores the growing recognition of creative health across the system.
Chris Easton, Director at NHS Charities Together, said: “This guidance sets a new standard for how arts can transform healthcare environments and outcomes. Continued investment in this space is vital.”
Founded in 2019 and now representing over 100 hospitals, NAHN recently joined forces with NHS Charities Together and was recognised for its national storytelling initiative, Our National Health Stories.
The full guidance is available free at: www.nahn.org.uk/arts-in-hospitals-guidance.
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