News

Some fantastic countryside and wildlife murals that bring the outside inside have been painted in some of Kettering General Hospitals wards for older people.

The intricate designs cover the walls in two patient day rooms – one on the Naseby wards and one on the HC Pretty wards - and are especially designed to help support patients with dementia.

As well as sparking happy memories, provoking conversation and providing a calming atmosphere the murals are liberally sprinkled with butterflies and dragonflies which support activities which can help occupy patients with dementia – such as counting them as a distraction if they become unsettled.

Head of Cancer Services and KGH Forget-Me-Not Dementia Garden Appeal organiser, Jayne Chambers, said: “We already have had a seaside mural painted in our dementia garden next to Lamport and Twywell wards and it has proven very effective in supporting patients with dementia by providing them with a safe and stimulating environment.

“We had so many positive comments about the existing murals from patients, relatives and staff that we thought it would be a good idea to extend the theme to some of our days rooms on wards where we also support patients with dementia.

“It enables us to bring the outside inside in a safe and engaging way for these patients and provides some fantastic talking points that can help them to stay calm and relaxed.”

The murals for the two day rooms were commissioned from local artist Catherine Matthews with £2,000 of dementia garden Forget-Me-Not Appeal funds.

They include a woodland scene and countryside themes complete with a Roe Deer, Red Fox, Badger, Rabbit, Kingfisher, Red Kite, Robin, Barn Owl, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Goldfinch, and Grey Squirrel.

Therapeutic Activities Co-ordinator on Naseby Wards, Joanna Momi, said: “It is just amazing and our patients – and their families – really love the room.

“We chose a woodland theme because it is so relaxing and Catherine the artist did an absolutely superb job of painting in all of the, very realistic, wildlife. Everyone is just so happy with it.”

HC Pretty Ward has just had its mural completed. Matron Siobhan Shuker said: “The mural has really brightened up our existing day room and we hope it will prove to be an interesting talking point for patients and their families.”

Consultant Geriatrician, Irene Hubbard, said: “We are really pleased with the new artwork in our dayrooms and the artist, Catherine Matthews, has done a superb job. 

“Naseby Wards have a high number of dementia patients who can frequently become agitated and disorientated especially when unwell in an unfamiliar environment.

“The painted woodland scene is enjoyed by both patients and relatives as it provides a calming environment and a pleasant distraction.”