Further, Faster, for Fall - Spring 2024 - Issue 6

distraction from pain or anxiety, a surge in the body’s happy hormones or a stroll down memory lane – just some of the many ways that live music provided by the Royal Free Charity makes a positive difference to hospital patients.

After spending a week in the Royal Free Hospital with a perforated bowel in April 2023, Sue Rothstein decided to “give back” to the staff by using her talent as a harpist.

“I thought perhaps my time was up,” Sue explained. “I was so grateful to everyone at the Royal Free. I said to myself: ‘If I come out of here, I want to give something back. I’ll just find a way; I’ll just do it.’”

While in the hospital, she was offered a massage from the complementary therapy team - one of many services the charity offers to improve patients’ experience.

“The massage was lovely but also the care from a stranger when one is so low is a beautiful thing. It lifts the spirit and that’s what music can do too.”

She began playing the harp at just 12 years old and now performs “soothing” music for staff and patients in the foyer, on wards or in the hospital children’s school.

Sue said: “If you do manage to lift someone’s spirit, if you bring them joy, or contemplation, or just a place to be; music and art, they are really part of human beings. Music and art are a platform for the soul.”

Most surprising request

O’Carolan’s Concerto by Turlough O’Carolan - a 17th century Irish harpist and composer

usicians Matt Smith and Luca Boscagin are familiar faces across the Royal Free London’s hospitals, performing live guitar music and songs.

Matt, a music teacher at the Royal Free Hospital’s children’s school, has been performing live music with his guitar for patients and staff since 2017.

“To be able to distract people for a second or two from what they might be going through is really valuable to me, and makes me feel I’m contributing something,” said Matt.

Focusing predominantly on the dementia and paediatrics wards, Matt has had many moving moments over the past seven years.

“A few years ago, I had an email from someone saying thank you: I played Somewhere Over the Rainbow and the family said that was the last thing that this person heard,” he said. “That kind of significance is really intense and makes it feel worthwhile.”

Luca Boscagin has been a musical performer for 40 years and now brings his talent to staff and patients at Barnet, Chase Farm and the Royal Free hospitals.

“It’s become the highlight of my week,” he said. “I rediscovered what music is about: it’s giving something good to people.”

Since he began visiting the hospitals in August 2023, Luca has experienced many moving moments and “beautiful reactions” while playing guitar to patients on the wards and chemotherapy suite.

Elsewhere, Luca has noticed the profound impact music has on patients with dementia. He explained: “I play songs like We’ll Meet Again and they love it - they start singing along and they remember the words to the songs.”

“Music is the purest form of art that I know,” he said.

Most requested songs: ALongWaytoTipperary and MyWay Most requested artists: Elvis, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra and Bob Marley

▲ Luca Boscagin

▲ Matt Smith

oss Blake is the curator of the Royal Free Charity’s art collection.

For Joss, the importance of art in hospitals extends beyond decoration. “Art brings a sense of calm to our environment,” he explains, highlighting its soothing effect on patients who are often navigating challenging times.

Joss’s approach to curating art goes beyond the canvas; it expresses inclusivity, multiculturism and collaboration.

He actively involves hospital staff in the selection process, ensuring their preferences and input are considered.

Joss explained: “A sense of ownership and pride in the hospital’s artistic landscape is important. Our hospital corridors cover somewhere between six to eight miles, it’s a broad palette, so input and suggestions from staff are always valued.”

The universal appeal of art often brings positive reactions:

“It’s amazing to see the reaction of people who just enjoy the artwork,” Joss said.

“It happens all the time, from families, children, professors and researchers. It’s a very interesting process to witness.”

A series of paintings by Simon Black are a current patient and visitor favourite, Joss explained: “This is a commissioned oil on canvas piece which perfectly depicts the many cogs that turn to run an NHS hospital. It perfectly captures those who are not always seen, the cleaners, surgeons and maintenance teams. Simon’s paintings perfectly capture everyone.”

When asked about the diversity of artwork in the collection, Joss said: “We have a vast collection of art, from artists across the world. This is important, as we look to represent staff and visitors coming from different cultures, different walks of life.”

Looking ahead, Joss envisions a future where art continues to enrich hospital environments. Through Joss’s efforts, the Royal Free London’s hospitals are not just places of healing but vibrant galleries that uplift the spirits of those who need it most.

▲ Pond Street Café by Noelle Sandwith, the greatgreat granddaughter of William Marsden who founded the Royal Free Hospital.

▲ Joss admiring one of many works of art featured at the Royal Free Hospital.

n innovative approach to patient care has been introduced to patients on the vascular unit at the Royal Free Hospital. The art tour, introduced by Dr Maria Goddard, physical activity clinical champion, blends art and movement to promote faster recovery.

The art tour encourages patients to explore the floor’s corridors, decorated with a range of artworks through a guided tour.

“The tour not only motivates patients to move but provides a therapeutic escape from the confines of illness,” explained Dr. Goddard. “It targets patients whose conditions may benefit most from increased physical activity.”

The tour is led by Royal Free Charity volunteers such as Lynn Higson, an artist and former art teacher, who not only continues to educate but also inspires patients during these tours. Lynn’s thought-provoking commentary prompts patients to consider the stories behind each artwork.

Reflecting on her involvement, Lynn said: “It’s a joy for me to continue doing what I love. Patients often leave the tour feeling fulfilled and eager to share their experience with visiting family. It’s nice to be able to give back something that comes so naturally to me that I know will help.”

With hopes for expanded tours and increased volunteer participation, Dr Goddard encourages a holistic approach to healthcare which prioritises emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Dr Goddard’s favourite piece of art is the metal man sculpture in the stairwell of the Royal Free Hospital, representing strength and support, echoing the art tour’s mission to guide patients towards healing and recovery.

▲ Art tour guide Lynn pictured with her favourite piece on the tour.

▲ Dr Maria Goddard designed the art tour to improve recovery times for patients.

group of dedicated, green-fingered volunteers is responsible for the stunning gardens at the front of the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead and the terraces of the neighbouring Pears Building.

The volunteer gardening group began nine years ago with a focus on the untended areas along Pond Street.

Since then, the group has transformed the whole area for the benefit of patients, staff, visitors and residents, tailoring the planting to the conditions of each space.

I have treatment every week at the Royal Free. Whenever I come out of the hospital, the gardens make me feel less frightened.

Royal Free Hospital patient

Charlotte Gascoigne, local resident and volunteer gardener, explained: “From the shady spaces of the Marlborough Garden staff area to the sunny terraces of the Pears Building, there are a lot of factors to consider.

“As well as making sure there are interesting things happening all year round, we’re building in support for the local ecosystem with our planting choices. For example, we try to incorporate plants that provide food for the birds in the colder months or attract pollinators.”

▲ The garden volunteer team

Factfile

The patch of land between the hospital and the Pears Building is known as the Dry Garden because there’s no water supply. Plants are chosen very carefully to reflect the conditions.

As well as plants, the volunteers tend to a first world war gravestone. Little is known about who the stone commemorates – the inscription says that it’s for Alfred, killed in action in March 1916 – or how it came to be buried in the soil on Pond Street.

In 2022, the volunteers took over responsibility for the Pears Building terraced gardens, a year after the building’s construction was completed. They have a three-year plan for the terraces to develop a colourful, wildlifefriendly garden.

Charlotte said: “As the site gets lots of sun, there are more varied planting options than on Pond Street, which is north-facing, shady and very dry under the trees.

“Our planting strategy for the terraces is respectful of the adjacent ancient meadow, Hampstead Green. Both visually and ecologically, the two spaces complement each other.”

The gardeners carry out the bulk of their work on Saturday mornings throughout the year and they are easily recognised in their distinctive purple tops.

Photos reproduced with permission of Parnian Ferdossi, photographer and garden volunteer.

he family of a man who died at Barnet Hospital has made a donation to thank the staff who looked after him.

Ratilal Narshi Malde died on his 52nd wedding anniversary on 1 March 2023, a month after he was admitted to Barnet Hospital with breathing difficulties.

Pushpa, Ratilal’s widow, said: “I was happy that Rati received good care from the staff at the hospital. They were very patient with him and attentive and responded to the many questions we had as a family.”

Jon Spiers, chief executive of the Royal Free Charity, said: “It’s so important that the experience of care at the end of life is as good as it possibly can be, both for our patients and their loved ones. We’re very grateful to Ratilal‘s family for their generous donation which is supporting a project to improve facilities for bereaved families at Barnet Hospital.”

▲ Ratilal pictured with his family

▲ Ratilal pictured with the Olympic torch in Barnet

Ratilal’s story

atilal was born in Thika, Kenya in 1944, the eighth of 11 children. In 1965, he travelled to London where he established a successful import and export costume jewellery business, called Aqua Jewellers after his wife Pushpa’s star sign Aquarius.

Aqua Jewellers was initially located in D’Arblay Street in Soho, in the premises that would later become renowned as Black Market Records, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of new dance music and a hub of the London club scene, by which time Ratilal had moved Aqua Jewellers to nearby Berwick Street.

In 1995, the Berwick Street shop appeared on the cover of the second album by Oasis (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Ratilal’s other brushes with fame include when Irish singer Bob Geldof visited his store and meeting the British reggae band Aswad.

Ratilal closed up the jewellery shop in 1998 and while he continued to work, he and Pushpa found the time to travel extensively. He also had more time to enjoy his interests in cricket, whist, bridge and badminton alongside looking after his grandchildren.

▲ In November, the family, including new granddaughter Poppy, gathered to scatter Ratilal’s ashes at a scenic spot on the Thames river.

hospital stay can be an isolating experience for those patients who don’t have visitors. Luckily, the Royal Free Radio volunteers are committed to providing a 24-hour radio service to keep patients across the trust company.

Previously known as Radio Enfield, the station began in 1970 at Chase Farm Hospital when a group of schoolboys thought it seemed like a good idea to start a radio station - that’s according to chair David Scarff who has been broadcasting since its origin when the station was no more than a “cupboard” with a singular two-hour show every Sunday night.

He has seen it grow to multiple hospitals across the trust, merging with the charity to become the Royal Free Radio.

Andy Higgins, the station manager, recognises the impact the radio has on patients and staff across the hospital.

He said: “We encourage our presenters to get out on the wards and meet people and see who they are broadcasting to.”

Among the 28 volunteers, there are ‘request collectors’ who gather song ideas from patients on wards. David explained: “The most requested record over 54 years is Frank Sinatra and My Way. And the most requested artist is Elvis Presley.”

▲ Andy Higgins, station manager

He added: “We had a spate of requests for Rod Stewart’s The First Cut Is the Deepest which we thought was strange; then we twigged it was from patients in the surgical wards having a bit of a lark.”

David also recalled his fondest memory, in which patients sang a song for the broadcasters: “We had a whole ward singing Tulips from Amsterdam once. They phoned in from what was then the telephone trolley - Max Bygraves was very popular and his record Tulips from Amsterdam in particular - they had the whole ward singing it. We got told off by the matron for causing a disturbance, but it was good fun.”

After decades of dedicated work, it’s no surprise that they have both been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the London Borough of Enfield.

undowning’ refers to a state of confusion in the late afternoon that can cause different behaviours in patients with dementia, such as anxiety and aggression.

Danielle Wilde, clinical dementia specialist at the Royal Free Hospital, pioneered a radio show that could be used as a form of therapy - hosted by David and other volunteers - to make that time easier for patients and staff.

Each Sundown Sessions show focuses on a different year, starting from 1952, with a selection of tracks and music news from that time. The show was mentioned in the trust’s Care Quality Commission report - a rarity for a volunteer-led project.

▲ David Scarff, Royal Free Radio chair, was one of the founders of the station. He met his wife through the station and his daughter now presents her own show

▲ Professor Julian Gillmore pictured with Luke O’Hara, Aja Aguirre, Mark McConway, founder of the Scottish amyloidosis support group

avier Aguirre was 30 years old when he was diagnosed with the rare condition amyloidosis in summer 2020. Within weeks, he died in Vancouver General Hospital.

Following Xavier’s death, his sister, Aja, embarked on a mission to raise awareness of amyloidosis and to raise funds to further amyloidosis research.

Aja said: “The journey began with a bike ride from Glasgow to Nottingham in 2021, inspired by my brother’s love for playing Warhammer. This ride covered over 500 kilometres and marked the beginning of an annual tradition of cycling challenges, in memory of my brother, X.”

Over the past three years, Aja and her growing team of supporters have cycled across countries and continents, braving challenging terrains and adverse weather conditions.

These journeys, lasting several days each, culminate on the anniversary of her brother’s death.

This year, Aja’s team took on a cycle of 622 kilometres between Malin Head and the Cliffs of Moher in the Republic of Ireland. They raised £10,026.61, bringing the total of Aja’s fundraising activity to nearly £30,000.

Of the next journey, Aja said: “Our next cycle will take place in July 2024, starting from Vancouver, USA, and will end at Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, commemorating the place where Xavier died.”