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Piano players wanted to improve hospital wellbeing |
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Pianos have been placed in hospitals across NHS Forth Valley as part of a musical initiative to improve health and wellbeing.
Volunteers are being asked to come forward to play the keyboards, which have been installed in wards and public areas.
The initiative has been inspired by research which shows that music can reduce levels of anxiety and stress within healthcare settings.
Five digital pianos have been installed in Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre, Falkirk Community Hospital, Forth Valley Royal Hospital and the Bellfield Centre in Stirling, with the help of funding support from the health board’s endowment fund.
The keyboards are available for anyone to use, but NHS Forth Valley is appealing for volunteers, including student musicians, to help entertain patients, staff and visitors.
Professor Angela Wallace, NHS Forth Valley director of nursing, said: “We hope these pianos will bring music to the ears of our patients and staff.
“Music is really good for the soul and, in the case of older patients, can help evoke memories of important moments in their lives.”
Kevin Harrison, director of charity Artlink Central that is co-ordinating the quest to find local volunteers, encouraged “budding musicians as well as accomplished pianists” to come forward to help.
He added: “People may be shy about playing in public but the atmosphere in the wards is very friendly.
“Just a few hours a week would be very much appreciated.”
Other music initiatives at NHS Forth Valley include staff choirs and a porter at Forth Valley Royal Hospital who regularly visits the wards to play bagpipes for patients and staff.
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