Art helps keep us well. It can aid our recovery from illness and support us to live longer, healthier lives.

From waiting rooms to wards, our surroundings have an impact on the way we think and feel. Art can transform stark clinical environments into compassionate care spaces filled with inspiration.

There is a growing body of evidence showing that art improves health and wellbeing. The recent All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing report found that art can help meet challenges in health and social care around ageing, loneliness, long-term conditions and mental health. It also found that art can help save the care sector money.

“A painting in A&E takes me to a different place. I thought you should know that your work not only helps the ill get better, it helps the well stay well.”

Police officer, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Wales

Other key research has shown that:

• Art eases anxiety, stress and depression for both patients and care staff
• Art shortens patients’ length of stay in hospital
• Art reduces patients' need for painkilling medication
• Art increases care staff morale
• Art improves communication between patients and carers
• Art improves the overall experience of healthcare and social care environment.

We think everyone should have the opportunity to experience these benefits. That's why we're dedicated to bringing art to everyone through our artwork loans and art activities.

Find out more about the difference Paintings in Hospitals makes...